दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥
Translation
Giving offered simply because it ought to be given, to one who cannot repay it, at the right time and place, and to a worthy recipient — this giving is considered pure.
Explanation
The phrase 'to one who cannot repay it' is doing quiet but important work here — it separates genuine generosity from strategic generosity dressed up as kindness. The test the verse proposes: would you still give if there were absolutely nothing in it for you?
Reflect
Was today's generosity given to someone who could repay you, or someone who genuinely couldn't?
Want the full Gita series, daily reminders, and your own progress tracked?
Get lifetime access — ₹19