Chapter 3, Verse 10 (Bhagavad Gita 3.10)
Chapter 3: Karm Yog – Path of Selfless Service
Sanskrit Shloka
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्
Transliteration
saha-yajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛiṣhṭvā purovācha prajāpatiḥ anena prasaviṣhyadhvam eṣha vo ’stviṣhṭa-kāma-dhuk
Word Meanings
saha—along with; yajñāḥ—sacrifices; prajāḥ—humankind; sṛiṣhṭvā—created; purā—in beginning; uvācha—said; prajā-patiḥ—Brahma; anena—by this; prasaviṣhyadhvam—increase prosperity; eṣhaḥ—these; vaḥ—your; astu—shall be; iṣhṭa-kāma-dhuk—bestower of all wishes
Translation
In the beginning, the Creator fashioned all beings along with the path of sacrifice and declared, 'Through this, you shall flourish; may this sacrifice be the Kamadhenu, the cow that fulfills all your desires.'
Meaning & Commentary
This verse teaches that the fundamental law of existence is not exploitation, but cooperation through sacrifice (Yajna). At a psychological level, it suggests that our desires are best satisfied when we align our actions with the well-being of the whole rather than pursuing selfish greed. When we 'sacrifice' our narrow self-interest to contribute to the collective order, the universe naturally provides what we need to thrive. This transforms our perception of life from a struggle for resources into a cycle of mutual nourishment and abundance. By performing our duties as a sacred offering, we tap into an inexhaustible reservoir of fulfillment.