3.11 — The wheel of giving and receiving

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥ ११ ॥

Brief meaning

Through offering, people sustain the gods, and the gods sustain them. Nourishing one another, both reach the highest good.

In the conversation

Krishna describes creation itself as arising together with yajña. People sustain the gods through offering, and the gods sustain people in return. Life is presented as a web of mutual nourishment. One who receives its gifts and gives nothing back is called a thief. The language is sacred, and it speaks of reverence as much as exchange.

Word by word

देवान् भावयत अनेन

Nourish the devas with this,

ते देवाः भावयन्तु वः

and may the devas nourish you.

परस्परम् भावयन्तः

Nourishing one another,

श्रेयः परम् अवाप्स्यथ

you will reach the highest good.

Going deeper

Prajāpati is the lord of creatures, the creator. The devas are the divine powers that sustain the world. The verb bhāvaya means to cause to flourish: people and the devas are meant to nourish one another. The word stena, thief, is strong on purpose. It describes taking life’s gifts with no gratitude and no return. Here yajña is reverence and reciprocity, not a bargain.

Everyday reflection

Think of the people who kept your household running when you were young, often without thanks. Much of what supports you now came to you as a gift: language, skills, food, shelter, kindness. Giving back is not a payment that clears a debt. It is a way of taking your place in the web that carried you. Who has given to you, and how could you give something back this week?

Consider today: Give back to one person or place that supports you.