Bhagavad Gita BG 17.22
Chapter 17, Verse 22 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
अदेशकाले यद्दानं अपात्रेभ्यश्च दीयते । असत्कृतमवज्ञातं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
adesa-kale yad danam apatrebhyas ca diyate asat-krtam avajnatam tat tamasam udahrtam
Meaning
And the gift that is given in the wrong place and time, to the unworthy, without courtesy, with disrespect — that is said to be tamasic.
Understanding
Tamasic dana: adesa-kale (in wrong place and wrong time — desa = place, kala = time; giving without discernment of appropriate context). Apatrebhyas (to the unworthy recipients — a-patra = not the right vessel; those who will not benefit or will misuse the gift). Ca diyate (and is given). Asat-krtam avajnatam (given without courtesy, with disrespect — asat-krta = done improperly/without honor, avajnata = with contempt/disrespect). Tat tamasam udahrtam (that is said to be tamasic). Tamasic giving lacks all three key elements of proper giving (desha, kala, patra — place, time, proper recipient) AND is given disrespectfully or contemptuously.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अदेशकाले | adesa-kale | in wrong place and time (a-desha-kala = not-right-place-time) |
| अपात्रेभ्यः | apatrebhyas | to the unworthy, to improper recipients (a-patra = not the right vessel) |
| असत्कृतम् | asat-krtam | done without proper honor, without courtesy |
| अवज्ञातम् | avajnatam | with disrespect, with contempt (ava-jnata = not-honored) |
| उदाहृतम् | udahrtam | said to be, declared as |
| अ-देश-काले | a-deśa-kāle | at an improper place and time |
| यत् | yat | which |
| दानम् | dānam | charity |
| अपात्रेभ्यः | apātrebhyaḥ ca | and to unworthy persons |
| दीयते | dīyate | is given |
| असत्-कृतम् | asat-kṛtam | without respect |
| अवज्ञातम् | avajñātam | with contempt |
| तत् | tat | that |
| तामसम् | tāmasam | in ignorance |
| उदाहृतम् | udāhṛtam | is declared |
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