Gita 3.11
Karma Yoga
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः । परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ | parasparaṃ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha ||
In essence: The universe runs on mutual nourishment—you cannot reach the highest good alone, nor can the cosmic forces flourish without your participation.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Guruji, I struggle with this concept of devas. Are they actual beings? How can my small offerings affect cosmic powers?"
Guru: "When you water a single plant, does it affect the planet's oxygen? Measurably? Perhaps not. Yet if every human stopped watering every plant...?"
Sadhak: "The whole system would collapse. So my individual offering matters because it's part of a collective?"
Guru: "Deeper than that. You ARE the cosmos in miniature. The Agni in the sun is the same Agni in your digestion. When you offer with gratitude, you strengthen the connection between your inner fire and the cosmic fire. The 'nourishment' is the strengthening of these bridges."
Sadhak: "But why would great devas need nourishment from small humans?"
Guru: "Does a mother need her child's love to survive? Physically, no. But what happens to a mother whose child never acknowledges her? And what happens to that child? Both wither in different ways. The devas don't need your offerings for their existence—but the RELATIONSHIP needs mutual flow to remain alive. A one-way relationship is not a relationship at all."
Sadhak: "So the supreme good comes from healthy cosmic relationships?"
Guru: "Tell me—have you ever experienced joy completely alone, with no one to share it with? Even in solitary bliss, you want to tell someone! The supreme good is not private acquisition but shared flourishing. Liberation that excludes anything remains incomplete. This is why the Bodhisattva vow exists—some refuse final liberation until all beings are free. They understand: 'param shreyas' is collective, or it is not 'param' at all."
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Upon waking, spend one minute acknowledging the 'devas' that sustain you: the sun rising, the air you breathe, the water you'll drink, the fire of digestion, the space that holds everything. Silently say: 'I honor you; I will nourish you today through mindful living.'
Practice 'conscious reciprocity' with one element today. If you choose water: use it mindfully, don't waste, perhaps clean a water source, or donate to water access initiatives. Notice the devas aren't distant—they're as close as the glass in your hand.
Reflect on today's mutual nourishments: What did you receive from nature/others/the Divine? What did you give back? Don't judge imbalances—simply notice. Ask: How can tomorrow's exchange be more balanced? This awareness itself is an offering.