You offer all the ‘good’ that is in your life to the welfare of others, you will have the divine blessing.

Karma Yoga 

Chapter 3, Verse 13

 

yajñā-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo 

mucyante sarva kilbiṣaiḥ 

bhuñjate te tvaghaṁ pāpā 

ye pacantyātma kāraṇāt

 

The good who eat what is left from the sacrifice, are released from all sin;  

but evil are they who cook the food for their own sake.

 

If your life revolves around serving others, and you offer all the ‘good’ that is in your life to the welfare of others, you will have the divine blessing. Here Krishna is talking about doing Karma Yoga. You will become free because you are serving Narayana. That’s why it is said, ‘Manava Seva is Madhava Seva’. This means, ‘Service to humanity is service to Narayana’. The service that you render to others with a selfless heart, with a pure heart is ‘Narayana Seva’ and releases you. Service is also sadhana. Service is also prayer. And if one does such service without expecting any results, one will be free. One will attain salvation.

 

“But evil are they who cook the food for their own sake.” This is not about the food we eat. In this context, ‘food’ represents the sense organs and sense enjoyments. Those who are evil when they cook, enjoy everything only for their own sake. They don’t want to share with others. They don’t want to do anything for the welfare of others. They commit sin, they get lots of bad karma when they seek self-gratification. It is only about themselves. In such a state, they can never be free.

Bhagavad Gita