पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति । तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ॥
patraṃ puṣpaṃ phalaṃ toyaṃ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati | tadahaṃ bhaktyupahṛtamaśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ ||
Translation
Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water — that offering of love from the pure-hearted one, I accept.
Interpretation
This is the most beloved verse of the entire Gita for millions of devotees. The Divine accepts the humblest offering — a leaf, a flower, a fruit, water — not because of its material value but because of the bhakti (devotion) with which it is offered. The word 'asnami' (I eat, I accept) is intimate and personal — the Divine literally receives and enjoys the devotee's offering. Prayatatmanah — from one of pure heart. The purity of heart is the real offering; the leaf and flower are the vehicles. This verse has opened the heart of devotion across all social classes and levels of wealth.