Bhagavad Gita Chapter ix - V26

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Bhagavad Gita Chapter ix, Verse 26

Commentary by Jnaneshwar Maharaj

 

26. Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktya Pryachti,

Tadham Bhaktyauphritam Ashnami pryatatmanah.

 

Translation:

 

A leaf, a flower, a fruit, (even) water, whoso offers unto Me in devotion: that

same proffered in devotion by one whose soul is pure, I accept.

 

Commentary:

 

Out of unbounded faith and devotion let a devotee hold out before Me, as an

offering to Me, even a little fruit, and I clasp it in both hands (and take it)

and swallow it without even removing the stalk of it. Albeit I should smell a

flower offered in token of love, but I thrust it into My mouth and taste it. And

why a flower --- even a leaf, fresh or dry, of whatever tree, when overlaid with

milk and honey of deepest love, I swallow like one hungry, who gulps down a

nectar-drink to his satisfaction. Should per chance, a leaf be not ready at

hand, water at least may not be wanting, and is within reach unceasingly for

nothing; and when a devotee of Mine out of love deep and unbound, offers it to

Me, he has indeed built for Me temples, greater in grandeur than the very

Vaikuntha (paradise of God Vishnu), offered to Me jewels of luster and purity

more precious than Kaustuba ( the celebrated gem obtained with thirteen others

at the time of churning the ocean, and worn by Lord Vishnu on His chest), he has

only made for Me bed (rooms), more comfortable than My resting place in the

milky ocean, he has burnt for My enjoyment fragrant incense big as the mountain

Meru consisting of Camphor, sandal wood, etc. and he has offered illuminations

with stick-wicks as lustrous and high as the sun, on the spiral row of lamps and

has offered rich vehicles as glorious as the very Garuda (Lord Vishnu’s riding

bird-eagle); or has offered gardens of Kalpataru tree, or herd of Kamadhenus, or

he has served me rich dainties, more delicious than even the nectar. So rich is

the propitiation of even a drop of water devotedly offered in token of love by

My devotees; what more need be said? Thou knowest well, O Kiriti, how

impatiently I undid the knots (of the bundle) of parched rice brought for Me by

Sudama (Lord Krishna’s friend from childhood). Devotion and love is the one

thing that I prize beyond all things, be it from high or low. The ties of such

passionate love hold me bound even to the meanest of creatures. Things like

leaves or a flower or a fruit are indeed mere tokens and the one single

touchstone of the path to reach Me is unalloyed devotion. Therefore, Oh Arjuna,

I tell you and you do hear of the very easy and simple way to secure it. Make

your mind pure and fasten it on Me unceasingly.