Chapter 17: Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga:: Verse 20
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे ।
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥
dātavyam-iti yad-dānaṃ
dīyate’nupakāriṇe
deśe kāle ca pātre ca
tad-dānaṃ sāttvikaṃ smṛtam – 17.20
Any gift offered considering it is noble to give, and given in the right place, on the right occasion, to the right recipient, looking for no reciprocal benefit, is deemed sāttvika dāna.
Chapter 17: Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga: - Verse 20
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Yajna, dāna and tapas are disciplines and practices meant to elevate, enrich and fulfil human life. One should not lead his life like animals, enjoying selfishly whatever sensory comforts he can muster. One should look for inner, spiritual resources the mind and intelligence hold. These alone offer lasting delight and fulfilment.
Krishna discusses dāna, offering made to those who need it. The giver should heartily feel that dāna is integral to human nobility. It purifies and enriches the giver amply. Giving should be to the right recipient, when he needs it. The giver should not look for any reciprocal service from the receiver. Or else the offer gets vitiated.
While the offering benefits the receiver grossly, it greatly blesses the giver inwardly. True giving enhances the dāna spirit as well as augments the resources of the giver.
