सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्।।3.10।।
sahayajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purōvāc prajāpatiḥ | anena prasaviṣyadhva meṣaḥ vas tu asti kāma‑dhuka ||3.10||
Translation
In the beginning, the Lord of all beings, after creating the generations together with the sacrifices, said: “By this, may you become ever more prosperous; this (sacrifice) is the bestower of all your desired wishes.”
Word Meanings
saha — along with; yajnāḥ — sacrifices; prajāḥ — generations; sṛṣṭvā — creating; purā — anciently; uvāca — said; prajāpatiḥ — the Lord of creatures; anena — by this; prasaviṣyadhva — be more and more prosperous; meṣaḥ — this; vas — yours; tu — let; asti — be; kāma‑dhuka — bestower of desires
Understanding the Verse
Verse 3.10 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights the cosmic role of yajña (sacrifice) as the engine that sustains creation. The opening phrase ‘sahayajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā’ emphasizes that the very act of creation was not an isolated event; it was performed concurrently with the establishment of sacrificial duties. By saying that the generations (prajās) were created along with the sacrifices, the verse teaches that the material world and the practice of self‑less offering are inseparable. The Lord of all beings (prajāpatiḥ), identified as Brahma, is the first to be aware of this integral connection and therefore speaks to the created beings.
The expression ‘anena prasaviṣyadhva meṣaḥ’ (by this, may you become ever more prosperous) underscores a principle that recurs throughout the Gita: all material and spiritual wealth flows from the proper performance of dharma‑aligned actions. Prosperity here is not limited to material abundance; it includes spiritual growth, inner peace, and the fulfillment of one’s purpose. The word ‘prasaviṣyadhva’ conveys a progressive increase – a continuous, cumulative benefit that accrues as one persists in the path of self‑less service.
The latter part, ‘vas tu asti kāma‑dhuka’, identifies the yajña as the “bestower of desires”. In the Vedic worldview, desires (kāma) are not inherently negative; they become a source of bondage only when pursued selfishly. When aligned with dharma, the fulfillment of desires through yajña leads to a harmonious expansion of consciousness. The verse thereby invites the listener to view sacrifice not as loss but as a generous means to obtain all that is truly needed for spiritual evolution.
Moreover, the verse establishes a theological hierarchy: the Lord of all beings creates the world and simultaneously institutes the very practice that sustains it. This points to a divine economy where the creator is also the regulator, ensuring that creation continues in a balanced way. The instruction to the generations is both a promise and a responsibility – a promise of inexhaustible support when one adheres to the path, and a responsibility to maintain the sacred order through regular offerings.
In practical terms, the verse calls each individual to integrate yajña into daily life – whether through literal ritual, work performed without attachment, or acts of generosity. By doing so, one aligns with the cosmic rhythm established at the dawn of creation, thereby accessing the inexhaustible blessings promised by the divine. This timeless teaching bridges the ancient Vedic practice with modern spiritual aspirations, reminding seekers that true prosperity is a natural outcome of disciplined, self‑less action.
