Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.5.49
Sthāna· The universe in orderOffer Food With Gratitude
“O unborn one, please enlighten us regarding the ways and means by which we can offer You all enjoyable grains and commodities so that both we and all other living entities in this world can maintain ourselves without disturbance and can easily accumulate the necessities of life both for You and for ourselves.”
What the purport teaches
- The demigods are ready to serve because they know that every living entity is an eternal subordinate servant of the Supreme Lord. They also know that He alone maintains all living beings.
- Food grains, vegetables, fruits and milk are provided by the Lord’s grace. Human beings should acknowledge His mercy with gratitude.
- Food should first be offered to the Lord in sacrifice, and then its remnants should be accepted. The purport connects proper maintenance with a God conscious, devotional life.
Try this today
Before eating some fruit today, first offer it to the Lord with gratitude, then accept it as the remnant of that offering.
Ask yourself
How can my way of eating express gratitude and service to the Lord?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.