देवान्भावयतातेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥ ११ ॥
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ
parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śhreyaḥ param avāpsyatha
श्लोक ११: तुम यज्ञ द्वारा सभी देवताओं को तृप्त करोगे और वे तुम्हारी अभिलाषाओं को पूर्ण करके तुम्हें तृप्त करेंगे। यज्ञ के माध्यम से एक-दूसरे का पोषण करने से सभी का परम कल्याण होगा।
Shloka 11: You shall satisfy the celestial beings through sacrifice and they will satisfy you by fulfilling your desires. By mutually nourishing each other through sacrifice, supreme good will come to all.
Bhagavad Gita verse 3.11 presents a profound teaching on the cosmic economy of reciprocity and cooperation. In this verse, Lord Krishna explains: "By your sacrifices, the celestial gods will be pleased, and by cooperation between humans and the celestial gods, great prosperity will reign for all."The verse addresses those who may find it challenging to practice Nishkama Karma Yoga (selfless action) due to material desires. Krishna provides an alternative Vedic approach through which people can live harmoniously while gradually advancing spiritually. He introduces a system of sacrifices (yajnas) established at creation that creates a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and celestial beings.The Sanskrit text "devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ" conveys this reciprocal relationship - when humans please the demigods through sacrifice, the demigods in turn bestow blessings and fulfill desires. This creates a cycle of mutual nourishment and support. The phrase "parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha" further emphasizes that through this mutual pleasing, supreme good fortune will be attained.This cosmic cooperation can be understood through a simple analogy - just as citizens pay taxes to receive governmental services and infrastructure, humans perform sacrifices to receive blessings from the celestial administrators of universal departments. The sun deity governs energy, Saraswati oversees education, and so forth. This systematic cooperation ensures the smooth functioning of universal affairs.The deeper message of this verse transcends mere material exchange. It reveals the fundamental cosmic principles of gratitude and interdependence. When we recognize our interconnectedness and express gratitude for what we receive, we naturally develop an abundant mindset that fosters cooperation. This approach creates prosperity not just for individuals but for the entire cosmic system.In relationships, this principle manifests as healthy interdependence rather than unhealthy dependence or rigid independence. When people recognize their mutual need for one another and work cooperatively, their relationships thrive. This balanced approach creates space for both support and autonomy.The ultimate teaching of this verse extends beyond material prosperity. By engaging in this system of sacred exchange, individuals gradually purify their consciousness and develop spiritual knowledge. What begins as desire-driven sacrifice eventually paves the way for spiritual advancement and liberation. Thus, Krishna compassionately provides a path that accommodates human desires while guiding practitioners toward higher spiritual realizations.
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