UdyamGita

Food here can be related to the benefits one reaps from organizational success. Organizational success is not driven by a single person. An entrepreneur may have played a key role in steering the organization to its current state, but without the support of people and systems around him, this would not have been possible. Benefits come from revenue, revenue comes from customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction comes from the entire organization working together toward that goal. When each individual performs their assigned duties with dedication and sincerity, customer satisfaction becomes inevitable.

When profits are generated, it is wise for an entrepreneur to reinvest them into the organization for sustainable growth. He cannot withdraw profits purely for personal interests in a way that impacts the organization’s future. Instead, he should first assess the investment required for the organization to grow and allocate funds accordingly. Whatever remains can then be used for personal purposes. This does not mean the entrepreneur should deprive himself if the organization needs more investment than the available profits. He should take care of his salary, as he is also part of the organizational investment, and ensure employee benefits are met. The focus here is on additional profits that the organization may generate over time.

When the organization earns profits beyond expectations, reinvesting them back into the business helps accelerate growth. However, when such profits arise, they should not be consumed entirely for personal luxury and enjoyment. Prioritizing the organization’s long term growth ultimately benefits everyone involved.

Krishna explains the cycle of sustenance. Those who partake of what remains after sacrifice are purified; those who consume only for personal enjoyment accumulate sin. Life is sustained through a chain: living beings depend on food, food depends on rain, rain arises from yajna, and yajna itself is born from dutiful action.

Nothing exists in isolation. Everything thrives through contribution.

Business Insight

In an organization, “food” represents the benefits of success—profits, recognition, stability, and growth.

No organizational success is created by a single individual. A founder may steer the direction, but without the people, systems, partners, and customers, success would never materialize. Profits flow from revenue. Revenue flows from customer satisfaction. And customer satisfaction is the outcome of every role being performed sincerely.

When profits arise, wisdom lies in reinvesting back into the organization—strengthening systems, improving people capability, upgrading infrastructure, and building resilience. Withdrawing profits purely for personal indulgence weakens the very source that generated them.

Leadership Lesson

Reinvestment is not sacrifice—it is stewardship.

This does not mean the entrepreneur must suffer or starve. A fair salary, dignity, and stability for the founder are part of organizational health. Employee benefits too are non-negotiable. But excess profits—especially unexpected windfalls—carry responsibility.

Consuming surplus gains for luxury and personal pleasure, while starving the organization of growth capital, is short-term thinking. It erodes long-term value, morale, and trust. Leaders who reinvest first ensure sustained prosperity—for themselves and everyone connected to the enterprise.

Key Takeaways

• Organizational benefits are collective outcomes, not personal rewards.
• Success flows through a chain—people, systems, customers, and culture.
• Reinvesting profits strengthens future growth.
• Founders deserve fair compensation, not unchecked indulgence.
• Excess profit carries the responsibility of reinvestment.
• Personal luxury at the cost of organizational health is self-defeating.