TEXT 21
यत् तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं
फलम् उद्दिश्य वा पुनः ।
दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं
तद् दानं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ २१ ॥
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ
phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ
tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam
SYNONYMS
yat—that which; tu—but; prati-upakāra-artham—for the sake of getting some return; phalam—a result; uddiśya—desiring; vā—or; punaḥ—again; dīyate—is given; ca—also; parikliṣṭam—grudgingly; tat—that; dānam—charity; rājasam—in the mode of passion; smṛtam—is understood to be.
TRANSLATION
But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.
PURPORT
Charity is sometimes performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom and sometimes with great trouble and with repentance afterwards: "Why have I spent so much in this way?" Charity is also sometimes given under some obligation, at the request of a superior. These kinds of charity are said to be given in the mode of passion.
There are many charitable foundations which offer their gifts to institutions where sense gratification goes on. Such charities are not recommended in the Vedic scripture. Only charity in the mode of goodness is recommended.
