CH 3, Verse 14

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Chapter 3

Verse 14

 

Annaad bhavanti bhuutaani parjanyaad anna-saMbhavaH /

yaGnaad bhavati parjanyo yaGnaH karma-samudbhavaH //

 

Beings are born of food, food is produced by rain,

rain arises from Yajna and Yajna is born of action.

 

LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA – 19

As taught by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji

 

“Beings are born of food, food is produced by rain,

rain arises from Yajna and Yajna is born of action”

(Chapter 3, Verse 14).

 

All human beings, beasts and birds eat food. This

food makes possible the production of blood and semen

in their bodies, and from this semen their young ones

are born. Thus, it is clear that all beings are born

from food.

 

Food is produced by rain. Water is essential for the

cultivation and production of crops. Although water

may be made available to the agricultural fields

through irrigation canals, the only source for these

canals is rain.

 

The oblations placed in the sacrificial fire go up to

the sun. Rain is due to the sun and food because of

rain. A unique subtle power, ‘the Apoorva,’ is born

out of the chanting of mantras and the offering of

oblations to the fire by the priests and the

sacrificer in a yajna. This subtle power brings about

rain showers. So it is said rain arises from Yajna.

 

But the sacrifices mentioned in the Gita not only

include ritualistic but also altruistic ones. Man has

to learn lessons of self-sacrifice from nature. Just

take the instance of water, which allows itself to be

evaporated by the rays of the sun and, subsequently,

gets transformed itself, into clouds in the sky.

These clouds, in the form of water, pour themselves

down on earth. Thus the water offers itself as

sacrifice to form the clouds. The clouds, to help the

growth of vegetables and animal life, dedicate the

water to the earth by coming down to the earth in the

form of rains. Thus, the nature teaches man that for

the protection and sustenance of one, sacrifice in the

form of self-dedication by another is absolutely

necessary. Sacrifices (Yajnas) of selfless service to

fellow beings are real service to God. Such

sacrifices not only bring rains but all material

blessings and finally enable the performer to realize

the spiritual aim by clearing all his sins.

 

Yajna is born of action. Out of action only,

sacrifice arises. An idle man cannot perform any

sacrifice, whether ritualistic or altruistic.

Sacrifice can be accomplished only by doing actions.

So it is said, sacrifice arises out of action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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