The Gita according to Gandhi 231

The Gita according to Gandhi -Mahadev Desai

DISCOURCE 3 12. "Cherished with sacrifice, the gods will bestow on you the desired boons." He who enjoys their gifts without rendering aught unto them is verily a thief. "Gods" in shlokas 11 and 12 must be taken to mean the whole creation of God. The service of all created beings is the service of the gods and the same is sacrifice. 13. The righteous men who eat the residue of the sacrifice are freed from all sin, but the wicked who cook for themselves eat sin. 14. From food springs all life, from rain is born food; from sacrifice comes rain and sacrifice is the result of action. 15. Know that action springs from Brahman and Brahman from the Imperishable; hence the all-pervading Brahman is ever firm-founded on sacrifice. 16. He who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion here below, he, living in sin, sating his senses, lives, O Partha, in vain.