Chapter 17 · Verse 21 · Sraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.21
Sanskrit
यत्तु प्रत्युपकारार्थं फलमुद्दिश्य वा पुनः।दीयते च परिक्लिष्टं तद्दानं राजसं स्मृतम्।।17.21।।
Transliteration
yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ phalam uddiśhya vā punaḥ dīyate cha parikliṣhṭaṁ tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛitam
Word by Word
When the gift is given with expectation of return, or with reluctance and inner resistance, it falls into the passionate mode—the realm of ego's calculations. The Lord shows us that charity born from transaction, not transformation, binds rather than frees.
In our modern lives, this teaches us to examine whether we give to feel worthy, to secure favor, or to genuinely serve—for true generosity asks nothing back, not even gratitude.
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Bhagavad Gita 17.21 — BG 17.21
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