Verse 17.21
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः | दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ||२१||
Transliteration (IAST)
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ | dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam ||21||
Word-by-Word Meanings
pratyupakāra-artham-for the sake of return/reciprocation
phalam-fruit/reward
uddiśya-aiming at
dīyate-is given
parikliṣṭam-grudgingly/with reluctance
dānam-charity
rājasam-rajasic
Translation
But that gift which is given with the expectation of reciprocation, or with a desire for reward, or given reluctantly - that is considered rajasic.
Commentary
Shankaracharya identifies three taints of rajasic giving: expectation of return favors, desire for heavenly rewards, and reluctance in the act of giving. Ramanuja notes that parikliṣṭam (grudging) reveals that the giver's heart is not truly in the act - they give out of social pressure or calculated self-interest rather than genuine generosity.
Themes
karmadharma
Related Verses
karma1 verse