devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ
parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śhreyaḥ param avāpsyatha
devān — celestial gods;
bhāvayatā — will be pleased;
anena — by these (sacrifices);
te — those;
devāḥ — celestial gods;
bhāvayantu — will be pleased;
vaḥ — you;
parasparam — one another;
bhāvayantaḥ — pleasing one another;
śhreyaḥ — prosperity;
param — the supreme;
avāpsyatha — shall achieve
In this verse, the teaching is about the relationship between humans and the celestial beings, often called demigods. These demigods have a special responsibility to take care of various aspects of our world. They provide us with things we need to live—like air, light, and water—much like how a team is needed to run a household or a community. They look after the natural resources and ensure that life continues smoothly for everyone.
Now, how do the demigods get their nourishment or satisfaction? It comes from the 'yajnas' or sacrifices that humans perform. You can think of a yajna as a kind of offering or act of gratitude. When people perform these acts—whether it's a ritual, charity, or any good deed—the demigods feel pleased. Just like how you might feel happy when someone thanks you for a good deed or shares food with you, the demigods feel joy when we acknowledge them and express our gratitude.
The verse emphasizes that when humans perform these good deeds or sacrifices, not only do the demigods benefit, but they, in turn, help us. It’s like a cycle of mutual support. When the demigods are pleased, they ensure that our lives are filled with blessings, such as good weather for crops, plenty of water, and peace in our communities.
Furthermore, the verse indicates that all these acts serve a greater purpose. Among the various demigods, there is one, Lord Vishnu, who is seen as the main protector or the one who oversees all sacrifices. When we make offerings, we should keep in mind that they are ultimately meant to please Lord Vishnu, who is the heart behind all these efforts. When we honor the source (in this case, Lord Vishnu), it ensures that all blessings flow smoothly to us from the demigods.
In simpler terms, this verse teaches us that helping each other—through our good actions and sacrifices—leads to a better, more prosperous life for all. It highlights the importance of showing gratitude to both our spiritual guides (the demigods) and to the ultimate source of everything (Lord Vishnu) because when they are satisfied, we all benefit. It's about creating a community where everyone looks after each other, leading to overall happiness and abundance.