Upanishads · Bhasmajābāla 2.12
॥
Devanāgarī
नैतत्र संस्पर्शः । तत्पूजासाधनं कल्पयेच्च नैवेद्यम्
Transliteration (IAST)
naitatra saṃsparśaḥ | tatpūjāsādhanaṃ kalpayecca naivedyam
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
न एतत्र संस्पर्शःna etatra saṃsparśaḥhere there is no dispute
तत्-पूजा-साधनं कल्पयेत्tat-pūjā-sādhanaṃ kalpayetlet him arrange the means for that worship
च नैवेद्यम्ca naivedyamand the offered food
Translation
«Here there is no dispute. Let him arrange the means for that worship, and the offered food».
Version
a37ad66dae72 · published Aug 12, 2026, 5:00:00 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
Again the proviso that there is no disagreement; and again it shows that elsewhere there is. Worth noting the word naivedya, «offered food» — the offering of food, discussed when reading Bhāvanā (p39). The word is formed from ni-vid, «to present, to announce»: literally «that which is presented». That is, the food is called not «a sacrifice» and not «a gift», but that which is shown: it is brought and set before, and one waits.
This nuance, to my mind, is precise and explains the whole custom. The one making the offering does not hand the food into someone else's hands and does not burn it: he sets it before and waits. The Vaishnava side builds its entire relation to what is offered on this waiting. The food stands before the image for the appointed time; then it is removed and distributed as prasāda, «mercy». That is, it is held that it was accepted — and returned.
This custom, seen from outside, is a custom of trust: no one sees anyone eat. And in this lies its whole sense: it is offered to an unseen guest, and that he does not take it with his hands is not counted a refusal. Worth adding that the word sādhana, «means», stands here with worship: «arrange the means of worship». That is, the rite requires preparation of things; and anyone who has ever received guests knows that half the work is done before they arrive.