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Chapter 17
Link:—Now the Lord in the next three verses, mentions the threefold division of charity (gift).
ditavyamiti yaddanam diyate'nupakarine dese
kale ca patre ca taddanam sattvikam smrtam
A gift, charity which is made, to one from whom no return is expected, with the feeling, that it is one's duty to give, and which is given at a proper place and time and to a worthy person, that gift is held to he Sattvika (good). 20
Comment:-
Here in this verse, there are two kinds of gifts:-
- A gift is made to one, from whom no return is expected, and regarding it as a duty.
- It is made at a proper place and time and to a worthy person.
'Datavyamiti yaddanarh diyate'nupakarine dear kale ca patre ca:- A person, should offer a gift while regarding it, as his duty. He has to give things in charity to others, because he has wrongly claimed these, as his own. One, who has got possession over some things, has responsibility to give these to others. So, he should make a gift without expecting any return, at all, here or hereafter.
Whom should it be given? The answer is, that it should be given to those, who have neither done good to him, nor there is any possibility of getting return in future. It does not mean, that he should not give to those, who have done him good. But it means, that by doing so he should not regard it, as a gift. He cannot repay the debt of persons, who have done good to him, by merely making a gift. So he most help them, without regarding it as a gift (charity). A gift, which is made with expectation of some return, is called rajasika.
The expression 'Dare kale ca patre ea', has a double meaning and both of these should be taken here in this context.
- A gift should be made, at a place, where it is needed i.e., it should be made, in the place which is affected (e.g.,) by drought, flood and famine etc. It should be made at a time, when it is needed. It should be made to a needy person.
- It should be made at a place of pilgrimage, such as the Ganges, the Yamuna, the Godavari rivers or Kumksetra, Prayaga and Kasi etc., and on sacred occasions, such as the full moon and the last day of the dark fortnight Sankranti, (the passage of the sun from one zodiacal sign to another) etc., to a learned person, who is well-versed in the scripture, or to a pious and virtuous, hermit or beggar, or to any other deserving candidate.
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