Verse 3.11
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः। परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ।।
Transliteration (IAST)
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ | parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
देवान्-the gods
भावयत-nourish
परस्परम्-mutually
भावयन्तः-nourishing
श्रेयः-highest good
परम्-supreme
Translation
Nourish the gods through sacrifice, and the gods will nourish you. By mutually nourishing one another, you shall attain the supreme good.
Commentary
This verse describes the cosmic cycle of reciprocity. The devas represent natural forces and cosmic principles. When humans perform their duties as offerings, the cosmic order responds with sustenance. This mutual nourishment is the foundation of dharmic society.
Themes
dharmakarmaduty