Verse 3.13

Verse 3.13: “The pious who eat (their food) only as the remainder after the Sacrifice, are freed of all defilements; those, on the other hand, who cook (exclusively) for themselves, eat of sin, and are sinful. (119)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

One who performs his prescribed duty without expectation of any fruit out of it, utilising whatever riches he has got,—similarly one who worships his preceptor, cows, and the sacred fire, and who on suitable occasions worships, and propitiates Brahmins, and also presents libations of water to his deceased ancestors, and in this way performs prescribed sacrificial rites, also makes meals along with his family members, out of whatever is left behind after making oblations to the sacred Fire, purifies himself out of these sins by that holy food. O Partha, he gets freed from all sins by the eating of the remnants of the sacrificial offerings as nectar cures leprosy. Just as one, who is firmly settled in Brahman knowledge, never gets even the touch of any illusion, in the same way sins never touch one, who eats only the remnants of the sacrificial offerings. Therefore one should spend according to religious commands whatever is earned by following that religion, enjoying contentedly only that much as would be left over. Therefore, O Partha do not, in your conduct of life, follow other ways: such was the ancient path according to the narrative given by Murari (Lord Krishna). Those that mistake their own bodily self for their inmost spirit and give themselves over to the enjoyment of sensuous pleasures out of selfish motive, not minding anything—such way-ward fools in their error do not realize the secret of the observance of their sacrificial rites and blinded by egotism, only wish to enjoy the pleasures. Those that prepare and enjoy sumptuous dishes as are palatable to their tastes are only erring persons who verily swallow nothing else than the sins. All the riches that one may come to possess are meant to be given over as offerings in sacrificial rites of one’s own religion, and are thus to be dedicated to the service of the Highest Person in the form of Sacrificial rites. Leaving these truths aside, the fools prepare various delicacies of food only to satisfy themselves. Know this that the food is surely not an ordinary thing which helps to make sacrifices fruitful and to propitiate the Supreme Lord. It should be considered as the very symbol of the Supreme Deity since it is the very means of subsistence of the universe.