annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ
yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ
annāt — from food;
bhavanti — subsist;
bhūtāni — living beings;
parjanyāt — from rains;
anna — of food grains;
sambhavaḥ — production;
yajñāt — from the performance of sacrifice;
bhavati — becomes possible;
parjanyaḥ — rain;
yajñaḥ — performance of sacrifice;
karma — prescribed duties;
samudbhavaḥ — born of
In this verse, Lord Krishna is explaining the importance of food and how everything is connected in a cycle that sustains life. He starts by stating a simple fact: all living beings need food to live, and this food comes from grains. But grains can only grow if there is rain, and rain doesn't just happen randomly; it is the result of performing sacrifices.
When we think of 'sacrifices,' we often think of rituals, but here it means the good actions we take for the benefit of others and the world. For example, when people come together to plant trees, clean up the environment, or do anything that helps the community, they are making a kind of sacrifice. These actions can create positive energy that brings good things, like rain, which then helps crops grow.
Lord Krishna explains that when people perform these sacrifices, they naturally connect with higher powers like gods or demigods (forces of nature), who help in managing things like rain, air, and light. Just as parts of a body work together to keep it healthy, these higher powers work together to provide for us. If we worship or honor Krishna, who is seen as the Supreme, we are also honoring these other forces because they are connected to Him, like limbs of the body serving the whole.
Now, when a person prepares food and offers it to Krishna, known as 'prasadam,' it goes beyond just satisfying hunger. Eating food that has been offered first to Krishna spiritually purifies the eater. Imagine food is like a vaccine; when you consume prasadam, it strengthens your spirit against negativity, just like a vaccine helps protect the body from illness. This means it helps to wash away past wrongdoings or sins and builds stronger resistance against worldly temptations and desires.
On the flip side, if someone does not follow this practice and eats just for themselves, they may accumulate negative karma, leading them to make unwise choices and even take on lower forms of life in future births, like that of animals. This illustrates a deeper truth: how we eat and what intentions we have can impact our journey of self-growth and understanding.
In essence, this verse teaches us the interconnectedness of life. Taking care of our duties, performing good actions, and offering our food to Krishna not only nourishes our bodies but also helps us grow spiritually and keeps us safe from worldly distractions. Engaging in these practices creates a cycle of positivity and sustains life on Earth.