In a particularly beautiful and striking verse (3:13), the Bhagavadgita
commends relationships that are characterized by reciprocity
and generosity. “The good people who eat what is left from worship
are freed from all sins, but those wicked people who cook food only
for themselves eat sin.” The source of Krishna’s analogy is the agnihotra
or fire ritual. In this ceremony, a special altar is constructed and,
upon this altar, a fire is lit. Worshippers sit around this fire and make