The gift which is given to someone because of one’s conviction that “it is an act that is to be done,” is the right type of charity. The recipient should be one who can do no service in return (anupakari). The right type of charity expects the benefactor to make no discrimination against the recipients of his charity. A gift is always to be offered, in a fit place and time, to a worthy person. Such charity, made with RIGHT faith, to the RIGHT person, at the RIGHT time and place is of the Sattwic type.

There is a school which believes that charity must be given just as a tree gives its fruits. The fruits on a tree are available to all who come under its shade — irrespective of their race, status or sex. They argue that as the trees do not make any discrimination between one enjoyer and the other, so too man should, without making any discrimination between one recipient and another, share his possessions freely.

Many will find it difficult to believe in, and live up to, this principle. The Geeta insists, and rightly so, that man must use his faculty of discrimination and see whether his charities are reaching the deserving members in the community.

THE RAJASIC TYPE IS DESCRIBED BELOW:

Tat, that; danam, gift; is smrtam, referred to; as sattvikam, born of sattva; yat, which gift; is diyate, given; with the idea in mind datavyam iti, that it ought to be given without consideration; anupakarine, to one who will not serve in return, and even to oen who can; and dese, at the (proper) place-in holy places like Kuruksetra etc. ; kale, at the (proper) time-during Sankranti [During the passage of the sun or any planetary body from one zodiacal sign into another.-V.S.A.] etc.; and patre, to a (proper) person-to one who is versed in the Vedas together with their six branches, and such others.