Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 11
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 11
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ॥११॥
Transliteration
Devan Bhavayata-Anena Te Deva Bhavantu Vah.
Parasparam Bhavayantah Shreyah Param-Avapsyatha.||11||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
देवान्devanthe devas (celestial beings)
भावयतbhavayatanourish/cherish
अनेनanenaby this (sacrifice)
तेtethose
देवाःdevahdevas
भावयन्तुbhavantumay nourish
वःvahyou
परस्परम्parasparammutually
भावयन्तःbhavayantahnourishing each other
श्रेयःshreyahthe highest good
परम्paramsupreme
अवाप्स्यथavapsyathayou shall attain
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
इस यज्ञ से तुम देवताओं को तृप्त करो और देवता तुम्हें तृप्त करें। इस प्रकार परस्पर एक-दूसरे को पोषित करते हुए तुम परम कल्याण को प्राप्त होगे।
English Translation
Nourish the devas through sacrifice, and may the devas nourish you in return. Thus, mutually sustaining one another, you shall attain the supreme good.
Commentary (टीका)
This verse presents the beautiful concept of cosmic reciprocity. The universe functions through mutual interdependence — humans serve the cosmic forces through selfless action, and those forces sustain human life. This is not a transactional bargain but a recognition of the interconnected web of existence.