Chapter 17, Verse 22 (Bhagavad Gita 17.22)
Chapter 17: Śhraddhā Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Discerning the Three Divisions of Faith
Sanskrit Shloka
अदेशकाले यद्दानमपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते।असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्
Transliteration
adeśha-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaśh cha dīyate asat-kṛitam avajñātaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
Word Meanings
adeśha—at the wrong place; kāle—at the wrong time; yat—which; dānam—charity; apātrebhyaḥ—to unworthy persons; cha—and; dīyate—is given; asat-kṛitam—without respect; avajñātam—with contempt; tat—that; tāmasam—of the nature of nescience; udāhṛitam—is held to be
Translation
The gift that is given in the wrong place and at the wrong time, to unworthy persons, without respect or with insult, is declared to be of a Tamasic nature.
Meaning & Commentary
In this verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna reveals that the quality of our actions is defined not just by the act of giving, but by the consciousness behind it. When a devotee offers something with contempt, in an inappropriate setting, or to those who misuse the charity, the action becomes clouded by Tamas, the energy of ignorance and darkness. Shri Krishna instructs us that true charity must be an expression of love and divine recognition, rather than a mere mechanical ritual. By warning Arjuna against such degraded offerings, the Supreme Lord guides the soul toward Sattvic purity, which is essential for liberation. Ultimately, Shri Krishna teaches that to serve the divine properly, one must cultivate discernment, respect, and humility in every interaction.