Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.11
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः । परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥११॥
devānbhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ | parasparaṃ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ paramavāpsyatha ||11||
Complete Shloka Translation
Nourish the devas through this sacrifice, and let those devas nourish you. By nourishing one another you shall attain the highest good.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| परस्परम् | parasparam | mutually |
| भावयन्तः | bhāvayantaḥ | nourishing |
| देवान्भावयतानेन | devānbhāvayatānena | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| ते | te | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| देवा | devā | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| भावयन्तु | bhāvayantu | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| वः | vaḥ | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| परस्परं | parasparaṃ | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| श्रेयः | śreyaḥ | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| परमवाप्स्यथ | paramavāpsyatha | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
| ११ | paramavāpsyatha | [term] in context of Nourish the devas through this... |
mutually
nourishing
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
[term] in context of Nourish the devas through this...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Devas are kept as divine participants in the sacrificial order. A contemporary reflection on mutual support is useful, but should not silently replace the verse's religious setting.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The teaching emphasizes reciprocity rather than one-sided consumption."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where do you receive support, and how can you reciprocate it?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.