Link to purport by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

Transcript of Bhakti-Shastri class on this verse by Chaitanya Charan

Bg 17.21

yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ
phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ
dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ
tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam

Synonyms: 

yat — that which; tu — but; prati–upakāra–artham — for the sake of getting some return; phalam — a result; uddiśya — desiring; vā — or; punaḥ — again; dīyate — is given; ca — also; parikliṣṭam — grudgingly; tat — that; dānam — charity; rājasam — in the mode of passion; smṛtam — is understood to be.

Translation: 

But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood is said to be charity in the mode of passion

yat tu pratyupakārārthaṁ, so when one gives charity with pratyu + upakārārthaṁ, when I am giving something you will give me something back Prti Upkar, earlier it was anupakāriṇe opposite of that is pratyupakār, so one expect something in return for that, phalam uddiśya vā punaḥ, one expect that something I will get in return. 

dīyate ca parikliṣṭaṁ, parikliṣṭam — grudgingly; resentfully, 

tad dānaṁ rājasaṁ smṛtam

parikliṣṭam  means I don’t want to give charity but because of social pressure because of some other factors I have to give charity.

So our actions are important but our motivations are also very important. 

If the idea is God will give me 10 times more that is not a noble motive. 

This grudging attitude doesn’t allow us to move forward in spiritual life.

End of transcription.