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
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.
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Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: 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.
In The Yoga of Threefold Faith (Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga), Krishna explains How faith manifests according to the three modes of nature.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
Chapter Context
How faith manifests according to the three modes of nature.
Key themes in this chapter include Faith, Food, Sacrifice, Charity.
When to Apply This Verse
- •When you need steadiness while dealing with faith
- •When practicing food amid uncertainty
- •When applying sacrifice to real-life choices
Verse FAQs
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Related Verses
BG 17.3
The faith of each is in accordance with their nature, O Arjuna. People consist of their faith; as a person's faith is, so are they.
BG 1.1
Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"
BG 1.28
Arjuna said, "O Krishna, seeing my kinsmen arrayed here, eager to fight,
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