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Bhagavad Gita 17.22

Chapter 17, Verse 22

Part of 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yogश्रद्धात्रयविभागयोग

अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते।असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥

Transliteration

adeśha-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaśh cha dīyate asat-kṛitam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam

Meaning

The gift that is given in the wrong place and at the wrong time, to unworthy persons, without respect or with insult, is declared to be of a Tamasic nature.

Word-by-word meaning
adeśhaat the wrong placekāleat the wrong timeyatwhichdānamcharityapātrebhyaḥto unworthy personschaanddīyateis givenasat-kṛitamwithout respectavajñātamwith contempttatthattāmasamof the nature of nescienceudāhṛitamis held to be
Commentary

Adesakale At a wrong place and time At a place which is not holy, where irreligious people congregate and where beggars assemble, where wealth acired through illegal means such as gambling, theft, etc., is distributed to gamblers, singers, fools, rogues, women of evil reputation and at a time which is not auspicious. But, this does not discourage giving alms or other charity to the poor and the needy. In their case these restrictions do not apply. Without respect, etc. Without pleasant speech, without the washing of feet or without worship, although the gift is made at a proper time and place. The donor does not give in good faith although he gets a worthy recipient. He never bends his head in worship. He does not offer him a seat. He treats him with contempt or disrespect. Lord Krishna says to Arjuna I have described that faith, charity, austerity, food, etc., are invariably coloured by the three alities. There was no desire on My part to refer to the lower ones but to distinguish the highest purity it was necessary to point out the mark of the other two. When the two are set aside, the third is more clearly appreciated in the same way as if day and night are removed the twilight is seen better. Even so be avoiding passion and darkness, the third, viz., purity or Sattva becomes vividly clear and purity which is the best can be easily realised. Thus in order to show thee the real nature of purity? I have described the other two, so that laying them aside, and resorting to the highest thou mayest attain the goal, viz.? Moksha.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 22?
The gift that is given in the wrong place and at the wrong time, to unworthy persons, without respect or with insult, is declared to be of a Tamasic nature.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 22 of Chapter 17 (Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.