Word meanings
- dātavyam
- worthy of charity
- iti
- thus
- yat
- which
- dānam
- charity
- dīyate
- is given
- anupakāriṇe
- to one who cannot give in return
- deśe
- in the proper place
- kāle
- at the proper time
- ca
- and
- pātre
- to a worthy person
- ca
- and
- tat
- that
- dānam
- charity
- sāttvikam
- in the mode of goodness
- smṛtam
- is stated to be
Translations
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.
The gift that is given without thought of recompense, believing it should be made, in an appropriate place, at an opportune time, and to a deserving person—such a gift is pure.
That gift is referred to as born of sattva which is given with the idea that it should be given, to one who will not serve in return, at the right place, right time, and to the right person.
दान देना कर्तव्य है -- ऐसे भावसे जो दान देश, काल और पात्रके प्राप्त होनेपर अनुपकारीको दिया जाता है, वह दान सात्त्विक कहा गया है।Commentary
The gift should be given to one who cannot return the good or to one from whom no such return is expected. It is necessary to be in Kurukshetra or Varanasi or any part of the world that is eally sacred when one offes gifts. The time should be during solar or lunar eclips or an eally auspicious occasion. Worthy A pious person who is a Tapasvin, who is well versed in the scriptures (the Vedas and the, Vedangas), who is able to protect himself and the donor, etc. At such a time and such a place there shoule be a person worthy to receive the gift, a person who is the very incarnation of purity, the very abode of good conduct.
A gift may be freely given to such a highly deserving person. The donor should not boast of his charity.