Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 Verse 20 Meaning
That gift which is given to one who does nothing in return, knowing it to be a duty to give in a suitable place and time to a worthy person, is held to be Sattvic.
BG 17.20
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे।देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम्
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate ‘nupakāriṇe deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam
Meaning in English
That gift which is given to one who does nothing in return, knowing it to be a duty to give in a suitable place and time to a worthy person, is held to be Sattvic.
हिंदी अर्थ (Hindi Meaning)
दान देना कर्तव्य है -- ऐसे भावसे जो दान देश, काल और पात्रके प्राप्त होनेपर अनुपकारीको दिया जाता है, वह दान सात्त्विक कहा गया है।
Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom for modern life. As part of The Yoga of Threefold Faith (Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga), it teaches about Faith and Food.
The essence of this teaching encourages us to focus on our actions and duties rather than anxiety about outcomes. In today's fast-paced world, this timeless wisdom offers a path to inner peace.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
When to Apply This Verse
- •When feeling anxious about results at work or exams
- •Before starting a new project or challenge
- •When perfectionism causes stress
Related Verses
BG 2.13
Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth, and old age in this body, so too does it pass into another body; the steadfast one does not grieve over this.
BG 2.14
The contact of the senses with the objects, O son of Kunti, which causes heat and cold, pleasure and pain, has a beginning and an end; they are impermanent; endure them bravely, O Arjuna.
BG 2.20
It is not born, nor does it ever die; after having been, it again does not cease to be; unborn, eternal, changeless, and ancient, it is not killed when the body is killed.
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