Chapter 9: Rājavidyā-rājaguhya-yoga – Kingly Knowledge, Kingly Secret: Verse 26
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति ।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: ॥
patraṃ puṣpaṃ phalaṃ toyaṃ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchat
tad-ahaṃ bhakty-upahṛtamaśnāmi
prayatātmana: – 9.26
Whoever offers to Me (the Supreme) a leaf, flower, fruit or even water, devotionally with a pure and disciplined mind, I consume (accept) that devotional offering with great relish.
Chapter 9: Rājavidyā-rājaguhya-yoga – Kingly Knowledge, Kingly Secret - Verse 26
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
This is a very revealing statement, wherein Krishna spells out what makes any offer acceptable and gratifying to the Lord. The Supreme does not look for any material from any devotee. For, He is full by Himself. All materials are God’s own creation. Material offers are meant only to generate and intensify devotion, welling forth from the devotee’s heart. None of them is meant for the Supreme’s use, consumption!
Use a simple leaf, flower or fruit. If none of these is available, take some water – but smear it with devotion. Krishna adds that you should have a pure mind, given to discipline, restraint and sublimity. God partakes of only the devotion that the devotee besmears the materials with. A point of immense relevance, to revolutionize the entire devotional life!
