Some people ask, “God is complete and doesn’t need anything. As he never feels hungry, what is the need to offer him food?” 

This question is natural and valid because God is often depicted as a self-satisfied Supreme Being. Gita wisdom acknowledges this depiction, but also reveals a much higher conception of God: as an all-attractive person who delights in loving reciprocations with his devotees, as Krishna. At this level of understanding, God as Krishna delights in loving reciprocations so much that he hungers for them. His hunger, however, is not like our hunger that is driven by bodily necessity. His hunger is completely transcendental, motivated only by the profound dynamics of pure spiritual love.

So, while it is true that Krishna doesn’t feel materially hungry, a higher truth is that the devotion in his devotee’s heart acts as his appetizer. When a devotee offers him food with devotion, he feels so acutely hungry that he becomes ready, even eager, for the simplest of foods. That’s why he says in the Bhagavad-gita (09.26) that he accepts even a leaf, a flower, a fruit or just a little bit of water when any of these is offered with devotion.

Krishna’s transcendental hunger, when understood properly, becomes a merciful opportunity for us aspiring devotees to enter deeper into a personal relationship with him. By offering him food with whatever devotion we presently have, we can feel a sense of accessibility to and intimacy with him. Over time, through the practical service of offering food to him, our heart becomes, by his mercy, increasingly enriched and fulfilled with devotion.

Thus, by carefully understanding the transcendental nature of Krishna’s hunger, we can render him affectionate service that will end our heart’s hunger for eternal love.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 09 Text 26

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”