Talk:The Vedas:The Purpose of Sacrifices

By Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swami

If a crop grows in surplus in one place, it is exchanged for commodities that are abundant elsewhere but unavailable locally. The carpenter, the blacksmith, and other artisans produce useful articles and render valuable services. In return, they receive what they need to sustain their livelihoods. We feed the cow grass, and it yields milk. We pay taxes to the government, and it provides us with protection. Thus, the affairs of the world are conducted based on mutual exchange.

Similarly, there is an exchange between this world and other worlds. Engineers and other experts may channel the rainwater through canals, but they cannot produce the rain itself. If we desire rain, we must send our offerings to the abode of the Devatā-s. It is this reciprocal relationship that the Gītā speaks of:

Devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ Parasparaṃ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha

This means: "Keep the Devatā-s pleased through the performance of sacrifices, and let them, in turn, promote your welfare by sending rain upon the earth. Thus, by supporting one another, may you attain ever-increasing prosperity and well-being."