Verse 9.26
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति | तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ||२६||
Transliteration (IAST)
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
Word-by-Word Meanings
patram-a leaf
puṣpam-a flower
phalam-a fruit
toyam-water
bhaktyā-with devotion
prayacchati-offers
aśnāmi-I accept/eat
prayatātmanaḥ-of the pure-hearted
Translation
Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water - that offering of love from the pure-hearted, I accept.
Commentary
This is among the most cherished verses in Vaishnava tradition. Krishna declares that the value of an offering lies not in its material worth but in the devotion (bhakti) behind it. The simplest items - a leaf, flower, fruit, or water - become divine offerings when presented with love. This democratizes worship, making it accessible to all regardless of wealth or status.
Themes
bhaktisurrenderdharma