patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayachchhati
tadahaṁ bhaktyupahṛitam aśhnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
patram — a leaf;
puṣhpam — a flower;
phalam — a fruit;
toyam — water;
yaḥ — who;
me — to me;
bhaktyā — with devotion;
prayachchhati — offers;
tat — that;
aham — I;
bhakti-upahṛitam — offered with devotion;
aśhnāmi — partake;
prayata-ātmanaḥ — one in pure consciousness
In this verse, Lord Krishna is telling us something very simple and beautiful. He is saying that if you give Him something small, like a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even a glass of water, and you do it with love and devotion, He will gladly accept it. This shows us that it’s the intention behind the offering that matters the most, not the size or price of the gift.
Imagine if a child picks a flower from the garden and brings it to their parent. The parent isn’t thinking about how expensive the flower is or where it came from; they’re touched by the act of love and care from their child. Similarly, Krishna values our sincere and loving offerings above everything else.
Now, Krishna also explains what kind of things He likes to receive as offerings. He mentions a leaf, flower, fruit, or water. This tells us that He is not interested in grand or expensive items. Instead, He appreciates what is simple and pure. For those who want to show their devotion to Him, understanding what He enjoys is key.
Krishna emphasizes that we should not offer things that are not suitable or desired—things like meat, fish, or eggs. He doesn’t ask for these items, which hints that they are not acceptable to Him as offerings. Many people follow this guidance and choose to offer wholesome foods that align with His preferences, like vegetables, grains, and fruits.
This is also a reminder for us to be mindful about what we eat and what we offer in our prayers. If we want to truly connect with Krishna in devotion, we need to provide what He desires. This keeps our hearts pure and our intentions sincere. It’s not about the quantity but the love behind the offering. By following this guidance and offering simple foods with love, we can build a deeper connection with Him.