अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः। यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः।।3.14।।
All beings are produced from food; food is produced from rain. Rain is produced from sacrifice; sacrifice is produced from prescribed action (karma).
Translation
All living entities subsist on food, and food is generated by rain; rain itself is the result of sacrifice, while sacrifice originates from the performance of one's prescribed duties.
Word Meanings
annāt — from food/grains; bhavanti — become; bhūtāni — living beings; parjanyād — from rain; annasambhavaḥ — produced of food; yajñāt — from sacrifice; bhavati — becomes possible; parjanyaḥ — rain; yajñaḥ — sacrifice; karmasamudbhavaḥ — born of prescribed duties
Understanding the Verse
This verse illustrates the interdependent chain of creation that sustains the material world. It begins by stating that every being (bhūtāni) derives its existence from food (annād). Food is the essential sustenance that fuels the physical bodies of all creatures, and without it life cannot be maintained. The verse then reveals the source of this food: it is produced by the rains (parjanyād). Rainfall nourishes the soil, enabling the growth of crops that become the grains and other foods upon which all life depends.
The next link in the chain explains how rain itself comes about. It is said to arise from yajña, the sacred act of sacrifice (yajñād). In Vedic tradition, yajña is not merely a ritual offering but a cosmic principle that sustains the order of the universe. By performing yajña, one invokes the divine forces that cause the natural phenomenon of rain. This connection underscores the idea that spiritual practice has a direct impact on material well‑being.
Finally, the verse ties the concept of sacrifice back to human duty. It states that yajña (sacrifice) is born of karma, the prescribed duties (karmasamudbhavaḥ) each individual must perform. This emphasizes that every righteous action, performed as an offering to the Divine, becomes a form of yajña. Thus, the everyday duties of a person—whether farming, teaching, or any honest work—are elevated to sacred acts that sustain the ecological cycles of rain and food.
Through this compact exposition, the Gita conveys a profound ecological and ethical message: the well‑being of the world is maintained through a harmonious interplay of material effort (karma) and spiritual intention (yajña). When individuals fulfill their dharma with sincerity, they contribute to the divine process that brings rain, nurtures crops, and ultimately sustains all life. Conversely, neglecting one's duties disrupts this delicate balance, leading to scarcity and disorder.
In contemporary terms, this verse can be viewed as an early articulation of sustainable living. It reminds us that responsible stewardship of the environment—through conscious labor, respect for natural cycles, and reverence for the sacred—ensures the continuation of the life‑supporting chain. By recognizing our role in this cosmic network, we are called to act responsibly, seeing every honest effort as a contribution to the greater whole.
