Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 11 (BG 3.11) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

According to Vedic philosophy, there is one Almighty God. His infinite power is eternally expressed in nature in countless ways and continuously works through creation. The various limited powers that manifest in different forms have different presiding deities—these are called devatas. The Vedas name them: Agni, Vayu, Indra, and others. For this verse to be universally understood and applicable everywhere, the word "deva" should be understood as the presiding deity of any field of action—that divine principle which grants the fruits of work to the laborer or doer. This deva is nothing other than the productive capacity of that particular field of action. When we engage in wholehearted effort and labor in any specific field, the productive capacity of that field manifests and bestows its fruits upon us. This becomes perfectly clear when we contemplate what we mean by calling our nation "Bharat Mata"—the Mother. In unifying the power of the nation, we refer to the productive capacity of all the various fields of action within that nation. There is no doubt that wherever creative potential lies dormant and unmanifest, it requires only human labor to bring it forth. This unmanifest potential is called deva. When these devas are pleased through yajna—selfless action—and invoked, they manifest and bestow their fruits upon the performer of yajna, bringing fulfillment. Through such mutual advancement, humanity attains the highest good. This divine purpose of Brahma is what Sri Krishna reveals in this verse. This dharma of service is seen to be upheld everywhere in nature. Only humanity has been granted the freedom to act by choice. By honoring this universal dharma of yajna—this spirit of selfless service—one obtains auspicious fruits. But to the extent that one acts driven by ego and selfishness, one experiences suffering, for such action creates discord with the harmony of nature.