Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Verse 17.21
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः।दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्।।17.21।।
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśhya vā punaḥ dīyate cha parikliṣhṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
Word Meanings
yat—which; tu—but; prati-upakāra-artham—with the hope of a return; phalam—reward; uddiśhya—expectation; vā—or; punaḥ—again; dīyate—is given; cha—and; parikliṣhṭam—reluctantly; tat—that; dānam—charity; rājasam—in the mode of passion; smṛitam—is said to be
Translation · English
And, that gift which is given with the intention of receiving something in return, or expecting a reward, or begrudgingly, is considered to be Rajasic.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Bhagavan Krishna delineates the psychology of charity driven by Rajas, the mode of passion. Unlike Satvic charity, which is performed as a selfless duty (yajna), Rajasic charity is inherently transactional. It acts as a projection of the ego, where the act of giving is not an offering to the Divine residing in others, but rather a strategic investment. By seeking a return or expecting a future reward, the donor remains tethered to the cycle of karma, turning a spiritual act into a worldly negotiation. The mention of 'parikliṣhṭam' or reluctance highlights the inner dissonance; the heart is not fully in the act, signifying that the desire for self-interest outweighs the joy of service. Krishna reveals this to Arjuna to show how even 'good' actions like charity can bind the soul if the intent is colored by attachment and lack of sincerity. The inner essence here is that true spiritual evolution requires the purification of motive. Until the donor relinquishes the expectation of reciprocity and the egoic demand for recognition, the act remains a product of the ego's volatility rather than an expression of the soul's natural compassion. This serves as a warning that our spiritual practices must be scrutinized, for even virtuous deeds can reinforce the walls of the ego if they are rooted in passion and ulterior motives.
True charity is a selfless movement of the heart; when it is burdened by expectation or reluctance, it ceases to be an act of grace and becomes a transaction of the ego.
Connected Verses
Further explores the Rajasic personality type, characterized by intense desire and the constant fluctuation between joy and sorrow.
Provides the contrasting definition of Satvic charity, which is given without expectation of return at the right time and place.
Highlights the importance of the internal state (love and devotion) over the external nature of the offering itself.
Establishes the foundational principle of Nishkama Karma, performing duty without attachment to results.
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