The Yoga of the Threefold Faith

Krishna completes the description of three kinds of charity with tamasic charity. 'Adeśa-kāle yad dānam apātrebhyaś ca dīyate'—charity (dānam) that is given (dīyate) at the wrong place and time (adeśa-kāle), to unworthy persons (apātrebhyaḥ). 'Asatkṛtam avajñātaṁ'—without respect (asatkṛtam) and with contempt (avajñātaṁ). 'Tat tāmasam udāhṛtam'—that is declared (udāhṛtam) to be tamasic (tāmasam). Tamasic charity is given carelessly, at the wrong place and time, to unworthy recipients, without respect or with contempt. It's not beneficial—it's harmful and destructive. Understanding this helps you recognize and avoid tamasic charity.