Greatest Charity Is The Holyname

2010-02-15
Bhagavad Gita 17.20-21 - Greatest Charity Is The Holyname (download mp3)
by Vidagdha Madhava Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net

Bg 17.20

datavyam iti yad danam

diyate 'nupakarine

dese kale ca patre ca

tad danam sattvikam smrtam

Translation: 

Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.

Purport: 

In the Vedic literature, charity given to a person engaged in spiritual activities is recommended. There is no recommendation for giving charity indiscriminately. Spiritual perfection is always a consideration. Therefore charity is recommended to be given at a place of pilgrimage and at lunar or solar eclipses or at the end of the month or to a qualified brahmana or a Vaisnava (devotee) or in temples. Such charities should be given without any consideration of return. Charity to the poor is sometimes given out of compassion, but if a poor man is not worth giving charity to, then there is no spiritual advancement. In other words, indiscriminate charity is not recommended in the Vedic literature.

Bg 17.21

yat tu pratyupakarartham

phalam uddisya va punah

diyate ca pariklistam

tad danam rajasam smrtam

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.