Bhagavad Gita 3.13 — Food Offered First: Freedom from Sin
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥ ३.१३ ॥
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The spiritually minded, who eat food that has first been offered in sacrifice, are freed from all sins. But those sinful ones who cook food only for their own enjoyment eat only sin.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yajñaśhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ | those who eat the remnants of sacrifice, food first offered |
| santaḥ | the virtuous, the spiritually minded |
| muchyante | are freed |
| sarvakilbiṣhaiḥ | from all sins |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhuñjate | eat, partake of |
| te | they |
| tu | but |
| agham | sin |
| pāpāḥ | the sinful |
| ye | who |
| pachanti | cook |
| ātmakāraṇāt | for their own sake, for selfish enjoyment |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yajñaśhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ | those who eat the remnants of sacrifice, food first offered | bhuñjate | eat, partake of |
| santaḥ | the virtuous, the spiritually minded | te | they |
| muchyante | are freed | tu | but |
| sarvakilbiṣhaiḥ | from all sins | agham | sin |
| pāpāḥ | the sinful | ||
| ye | who | ||
| pachanti | cook | ||
| ātmakāraṇāt | for their own sake, for selfish enjoyment | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna draws a sharp contrast between two ways of living. The good who eat what remains after offering are released from all sins, while those who cook only for their own sake consume sin itself.
Essence
Two ways of eating, two ways of living
Lord Krishna declares: "The good, who eat the remnants of yajña (yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ), are freed from all sins. But those sinful ones who prepare food only for themselves eat only sin."
Yajña-śiṣṭa (the remnant of the offering): This is what remains after first offering to the Divine and sharing with others. It is received as prasāda, a gift, with gratitude. The act of eating is thereby transformed from mere consumption into a sacred communion.
Santaḥ (the good, the righteous): These are people who live with awareness of interdependence. They give first and then enjoy, and they do not forget their obligations to others.
Ātma-kāraṇāt pacanti (cooking for one's own sake): This phrase describes a life lived solely for personal gratification, in which every resource is gathered and used only for oneself.
Mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ (freed from all sins): The word kilbiṣa means impurity or fault. Selfish living deepens inner impurity because it feeds ego and craving. Offering and sharing dissolve them.
Why selfishness is called sin
In the Gita's understanding, sin is not only external wrongdoing; it is anything that strengthens separation and ego. When all of life revolves around "me and mine," the heart contracts and becomes restless. The one who first shares and then enjoys, on the other hand, expands the heart and finds contentment in what remains.
The simple act of eating becomes a lesson. Even a meal can be an occasion for gratitude, for remembering those who laboured to produce it, and for sharing with those who have less.
Message for Everyday Life (Make Everyday Acts Sacred)
Pause before meals to express thanks, share what you can with family, neighbours, or those in need, and eat with awareness. The same food tastes different when received with gratitude.
Widen the principle: Apply the same attitude to your salary, your knowledge, and your free time. Ask yourself how these can be shared before they are consumed, and notice how it changes your inner state.
Two ways of eating, two ways of living
Lord Krishna declares: "The good, who eat the remnants of yajña (yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ), are freed from all sins. But those sinful ones who prepare food only for themselves eat only sin."
Yajña-śiṣṭa (the remnant of the offering): This is what remains after first offering to the Divine and sharing with others. It is received as prasāda, a gift, with gratitude. The act of eating is thereby transformed from mere consumption into a sacred communion.
Santaḥ (the good, the righteous): These are people who live with awareness of interdependence. They give first and then enjoy, and they do not forget their obligations to others.
Ātma-kāraṇāt pacanti (cooking for one's own sake): This phrase describes a life lived solely for personal gratification, in which every resource is gathered and used only for oneself.
Mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ (freed from all sins): The word kilbiṣa means impurity or fault. Selfish living deepens inner impurity because it feeds ego and craving. Offering and sharing dissolve them.
Why selfishness is called sin
In the Gita's understanding, sin is not only external wrongdoing; it is anything that strengthens separation and ego. When all of life revolves around "me and mine," the heart contracts and becomes restless. The one who first shares and then enjoys, on the other hand, expands the heart and finds contentment in what remains.
The simple act of eating becomes a lesson. Even a meal can be an occasion for gratitude, for remembering those who laboured to produce it, and for sharing with those who have less.
Message for Everyday Life (Make Everyday Acts Sacred)
Pause before meals to express thanks, share what you can with family, neighbours, or those in need, and eat with awareness. The same food tastes different when received with gratitude.
Widen the principle: Apply the same attitude to your salary, your knowledge, and your free time. Ask yourself how these can be shared before they are consumed, and notice how it changes your inner state.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has shown that selfless sharing purifies, while selfish consumption defiles. In the next verse, He lays out the great cycle that links food, rain, yajña, and action, revealing how every act of work is connected with the sustenance of all beings.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Food tastes sweeter when it is first shared.
A thankful heart turns every meal into a blessing.
The intention behind an act is part of what is served.
Those who give first are never truly poor.
Eat with awareness, and the body and mind are both nourished.
A table is holy where no one is left out.
Wealth hoarded is a weight; wealth shared is a wing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'yajña-śhiṣhṭa' (the remnant of sacrifice)?
Why are such people called 'santaḥ' (virtuous or spiritually minded)?
What does 'kilbiṣha' (sin or impurity) mean here?
What does 'ātma-kāraṇāt' (for one's own sake) mean in this verse?
Does this verse apply only to rituals?
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