Verse 17.21

Verse 17.21: “But that which by way of a return obligation, or with an eye to subsequent gain, is given, grudgingly and scantily; that gift is pronounced Rajas-dominated. (285)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

(As regards the Rajas-dominated charity): Feeding a cow in the expectation of milk to come, sowing land with the object of filling in grain pits (^) with the yield secured; or inviting relations to a ceremonial function with an eye to the (expected) presents (āhera), or sending charities to the house of one under a religious vow (vovasiyā) (not to retain any such), or recovering interest in advance and then lending (monetary) help to others, or recovering medical fees first and then giving medicine to the patient; or giving charity with the object that the giver should be able to feed himself on the recipient through what is given in charity; or coming across an itinerant Brahmin all-deserving, but not in a position to return any obligation (charity) made to him and then giving him a mere trifle (Kavadi, the smallest legal tender) on his own account and on behalf of all the members of the family (gotra) in expiation of all the past sins of commission and omission; or giving charity so scantily as to be hardly enough even for a single meal, and expecting in return the reward of various enjoyments in Heaven; (that apart), and when this miserly charity is being taken away (by the recipient) the donor feels so sad at heart on account of that loss, as if he has been robbed (by robbers), of all his possessions. What more should I say, Oh Good Talent! Giving charity with such a mentality (as described above) is known in all the three worlds as Rajas-dominated.