A core teaching · reflective in mood · easy to enter
“A gift becomes lesser the moment it starts asking for something back.”
But charity given in return, or for a desired result, and given grudgingly, is said to be rajasic.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallywhich · but · for return-favor · fruit, result · aiming at · or · again · is given · and · with strain, grudgingly · that · gift, charity · rajasic · is called
A gift loses its purity when you give it to get something back or to force a result, especially if you give it unwillingly.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga" (The Three Kinds of Faith).
Verse 21 sits in Chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita — Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga, "The Three Kinds of Faith". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
Relatives at a wedding keep track of who gave what so they can match it later. Krishna calls giving with an eye on the return, or given grudgingly, rajasic charity.
Did you like this verse?
Charity given for a return, for a hoped-for result, or grudgingly, is what Krishna calls rajasic.
What this verse means
A gift loses its purity when you give it to get something back or to force a result, especially if you give it unwillingly.
Context & commentary
Krishna classifies the nature of giving for Arjuna, who is still shaken and searching for right action. After pure giving, Krishna now names a second kind: charity mixed with expectation, strain, and return-seeking.
What it looks like today
Relatives at a wedding keep track of who gave what so they can match it later. Krishna calls giving with an eye on the return, or given grudgingly, rajasic charity.
“Generosity feels lighter when it is not secretly a trade.”
Explore related themes: rajas (21 verses), dana (11 verses)