दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे | देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ||
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate 'nupakāriṇe deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam
Translation
Charity given with the thought 'it ought to be given,' to a deserving person who has done nothing for the giver, at the right place and time — that is held to be sattvic.
Interpretation
Sattvic dana (charity): given with the conviction that 'it must be given' (datavyam iti — not for benefit to self but because giving is right), to one who has not done anything for the giver (anupakarine — not reciprocal exchange), at the right place (suitable location — where it will actually help), at the right time, and to the right recipient (patre — one who is genuinely worthy and will benefit). This is pure gift — no transaction, no expectation of return, no calculation. It is giving as a natural expression of abundance and love, the recognition of others as one's own.