Text 201
The Divisions of Earth
760
TR  ANSI ATION
And those penances and austerities which are performed foolishly by means of obstinant self-torture, or to destroy or injure others, are said to be in the mode of ignorance.
PURPORT
There are instances of foolish penance undertaken by demons like Hiraṇyakasipu, who performed austere penances to become immortal and kill the demigods. He prayed to Brahmā for such things, but ultimately he was killed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To undergo penances for something which is impossible is certainly in the mode of ignorance.
TEEXT 20
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे । देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥२०॥
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate’nupakāriṇe deśe kāle ca pātre ca tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛtam
dātavyam —worth giving;  iti —thus;  yat —that which;  dānam —charity;  dīyate —given;  anupakārīṇe —to any person irrespective of doing good;  dese —in place;  kāle —in time;  ca —also;  pātre —suitable person;  ca —and;  tat —that;  dānam —charity;  sāttvikem —in the mode of goodness;  smṛtam —consider.
TRANSLATION
That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.
PURPORT
In the Vedic literature, charity given to a person engaged in spiritual activities is recommended. There is no recommendation for giving charity