Bhagavad Gita 3.11 — Mutual Nourishment: Humans and the Gods Prosper Together
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥ ३.११ ॥
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With this sacrifice, nourish the gods, and may those gods nourish you. Thus, nourishing one another, you will attain the highest good.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| devān | the gods, the celestial beings |
| bhāvayata | nourish, please |
| anena | by this (sacrifice) |
| te | those |
| devāḥ | gods |
| bhāvayantu | may they nourish |
| vaḥ | you |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| parasparam | one another, mutually |
| bhāvayantaḥ | nourishing, supporting |
| śhreyaḥ | the highest good |
| param | supreme |
| avāpsyatha | you will attain |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| devān | the gods, the celestial beings | parasparam | one another, mutually |
| bhāvayata | nourish, please | bhāvayantaḥ | nourishing, supporting |
| anena | by this (sacrifice) | śhreyaḥ | the highest good |
| te | those | param | supreme |
| devāḥ | gods | avāpsyatha | you will attain |
| bhāvayantu | may they nourish | ||
| vaḥ | you | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna explains the reciprocal relationship at the heart of yajña. Human beings nourish the divine powers through selfless offering, and the divine powers in turn nourish human beings, so that all attain the highest good through mutual care.
Essence
A cycle of mutual nourishment
Lord Krishna says: "With this yajña, nourish the devas, and may those devas nourish you. Thus nourishing one another, you shall attain the supreme good (param śreyaḥ)."
Devas (the divine powers): In the Gita's worldview, the devas are the presiding intelligences behind natural forces such as rain, wind, fire, and sunlight. They represent the cosmic order that makes life possible. Seen through a broader lens, they stand for the intelligent, benevolent forces of nature and the Divine acting through them.
Bhāvayata (nourish, cherish): The verb conveys care and cultivation, not bargaining. It is the attitude of a gardener tending a plant, not a trader making a deal.
Parasparam bhāvayantaḥ (nourishing one another): This phrase captures the essence of the verse. Life is not a one-way street. Every being is both a giver and a receiver.
Param śreyaḥ (the supreme good): The result of this harmony is not merely material comfort but the highest welfare, including inner purification and spiritual progress.
Beyond transaction: reverence and responsibility
It would be a mistake to read this verse as a spiritual bargain: "I give, so you must give back." Lord Krishna points instead to a relationship of gratitude and responsibility. We are the recipients of countless gifts, such as air, water, food, knowledge, and the labour of others. Acknowledging these through sincere offering keeps us humble and keeps the cycle healthy.
When this principle is forgotten, imbalance appears: exploitation of nature, selfish economic systems, and relationships that only take. When it is remembered, society and the environment flourish together.
Message for Everyday Life (Gratitude and Reciprocity)
Take a moment to notice how many people and forces support your day: farmers, teachers, family, workers, the earth itself. A grateful mind naturally wants to give back.
Make it concrete: Find small, regular ways to return what you receive: care for the environment, support for colleagues, service to those in need, and sincere thanks. These acts keep the cycle of nourishment alive.
A cycle of mutual nourishment
Lord Krishna says: "With this yajña, nourish the devas, and may those devas nourish you. Thus nourishing one another, you shall attain the supreme good (param śreyaḥ)."
Devas (the divine powers): In the Gita's worldview, the devas are the presiding intelligences behind natural forces such as rain, wind, fire, and sunlight. They represent the cosmic order that makes life possible. Seen through a broader lens, they stand for the intelligent, benevolent forces of nature and the Divine acting through them.
Bhāvayata (nourish, cherish): The verb conveys care and cultivation, not bargaining. It is the attitude of a gardener tending a plant, not a trader making a deal.
Parasparam bhāvayantaḥ (nourishing one another): This phrase captures the essence of the verse. Life is not a one-way street. Every being is both a giver and a receiver.
Param śreyaḥ (the supreme good): The result of this harmony is not merely material comfort but the highest welfare, including inner purification and spiritual progress.
Beyond transaction: reverence and responsibility
It would be a mistake to read this verse as a spiritual bargain: "I give, so you must give back." Lord Krishna points instead to a relationship of gratitude and responsibility. We are the recipients of countless gifts, such as air, water, food, knowledge, and the labour of others. Acknowledging these through sincere offering keeps us humble and keeps the cycle healthy.
When this principle is forgotten, imbalance appears: exploitation of nature, selfish economic systems, and relationships that only take. When it is remembered, society and the environment flourish together.
Message for Everyday Life (Gratitude and Reciprocity)
Take a moment to notice how many people and forces support your day: farmers, teachers, family, workers, the earth itself. A grateful mind naturally wants to give back.
Make it concrete: Find small, regular ways to return what you receive: care for the environment, support for colleagues, service to those in need, and sincere thanks. These acts keep the cycle of nourishment alive.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the harmony created when humans and divine powers nourish each other. In the next verse, He turns to the opposite situation: what happens to a person who enjoys these gifts and offers nothing in return.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
What you nourish will nourish you.
The world prospers when each part supports the others.
Appreciation is a form of nourishment.
Together, we rise higher than any one of us could alone.
Taking without giving breaks the circle of life.
The wise know how much they owe to others.
Everything is connected, and care travels in circles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the 'devas' (gods or celestial beings) in this verse?
What does 'bhāvayata' (nourish or please) mean here?
What does 'parasparam' (mutually) teach?
What is the 'śhreyaḥ param' (supreme good) mentioned here?
Is this verse relevant to modern life?
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