Bhagavad Gītā › Chapter 9 › Verse 26
Bhagavad Gītā 9.26: A leaf, a flower, a fruit
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति ।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ॥
patraṃ puṣpaṃ phalaṃ toyaṃ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tadahaṃ bhaktyupahṛtamaśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
Meaning
Whoever offers me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water — that offering of love from one whose heart is pure, I accept. The verse is often cited to show that devotion, not wealth, is what counts.
For children
Krishna says: “If you give me even a little leaf, a flower, a fruit or some water with love, I happily accept it.” What matters most is the love, not how big the gift is.
In chapter 9, Kṛṣṇa speaks about devotion (bhakti) and how simple it can be.
Word by word
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं — A leaf, a flower, a fruit, some water
- patra: leaf
- puṣpa: flower
- phala: fruit
- toya: water
यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति — whoever offers to me with love
- bhakti: love, devotion
- prayacchati: offers, gives
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतम् — that loving gift
- upahṛta: offered
अश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः — I gladly accept from a sincere heart
- aśnāmi: I accept, I partake
- prayatātman: one whose heart is pure and sincere
Kṛṣṇa speaks this verse. The Sanskrit is checked against four editions; meanings and word notes are simple learning aids written for MahaPrabha Gurukul, awaiting review by a Sanskrit teacher.