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Bhagavad-gītā 7.23

अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भ‍वत्यल्पमेधसाम् । देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भ‍क्ता यान्ति मामपि ॥ २३ ॥
antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ
[antavat tu phalam teshaam]
tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām
[tad bhavaty alpa-medhasaam]
devān deva-yajo yānti
[devaan deva-yajo yaanti]
mad-bhaktā yānti mām api
[mad-bhaktaa yaanti maam api]
Word-for-word
anta - vat — perishable tu — but phalam — fruit teṣām — their tat — that bhavati — becomes alpa - medhasām — of those of small intelligence devān — to the demigods deva - yajaḥ — the worshipers of the demigods yānti — go mat — My bhaktāḥ — devotees yānti — go mām — to Me api — also .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ
anta - vat
perishable
tu
but
phalam
fruit
teṣām
their
tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām
tat
that
bhavati
becomes
alpa - medhasām
of those of small intelligence
devān deva-yajo yānti
devān
to the demigods
deva - yajaḥ
the worshipers of the demigods
yānti
go
mad-bhaktā yānti mām api
mat
My
bhaktāḥ
devotees
yānti
go
mām
to Me
api
also .
Important Words
  • anta - vat — perishable, having an end
    Compound: anta (end) + -vat (possessing). The fruits of demigod-worship come with expiry dates built in. Not 'bad' — perishable. The verse's main critique is temporal, not moral.
  • alpa - medhasām — of those of small intelligence
    Compound: alpa (small) + medhas (intelligence). The harshest word in the verse — but precisely targeted: those who choose perishable goals when imperishable ones were available are, by definition, calculating poorly.
  • deva - yajaḥ — the worshipers of the demigods
    Compound: deva + yaj (sacrificer). The class-name for demigod-worshippers. The Gītā is naming them, not insulting them; the category is real and well-populated.
  • yānti — go
    Same verb used twice in the verse, once for each destination. The repetition is the verse's structural point: worship and destination are the same verb. You go where you face.
  • bhaktāḥ — devotees
    From √bhaj. The same word that names Kṛṣṇa's devotees throughout the Gītā. In this verse, mat-bhaktāḥ — 'My devotees' — is the climactic phrase: their destination is Kṛṣṇa Himself, not a planet, not a state, but Him. The shortest sentence in the verse, and the one that matters.
Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
The rewards of demigod-worship are finite; the devatās themselves are within saṁsāra and so their domains end. But devotees of Kṛṣṇa reach Kṛṣṇa Himself — a destination without an end. Pursuit of the bigger object pays a bigger and lasting prize.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Antavat phalam — 'fruit with an end' — invokes the Upaniṣadic critique of svarga-class outcomes (Kaṭha 1.1.26). Alpa-medhasām is diagnostic: the limitation is in intelligence, not in entitlement. The principle 'you reach what you aim at' explains religious pluralism without flattening it: lesser aims, lesser destinations. Cf. BG 9.25 for the same comparative ladder.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
तेषाम् अल्प-मेधसां तत् फलं अन्तवत् तु भवति; देव-यजः देवान् यान्ति, मद्-भक्ताः तु माम् अपि यान्ति ।
teṣām alpa-medhasāṃ tat phalaṃ antavat tu bhavati; deva-yajaḥ devān yānti, mad-bhaktāḥ tu mām api yānti |
But that fruit of theirs — of small intelligence — is perishable; worshippers of devas go to devas, but My devotees come to Me.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
अन्तवत् तु फलं तेषां तत् भवति अल्प-मेधसाम् । देवान् देव-यजः यान्ति मद्-भक्ताः यान्ति माम् अपि ॥
antavat tu phalaṃ teṣāṃ tat bhavati alpa-medhasām | devān deva-yajaḥ yānti mad-bhaktāḥ yānti mām api ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
अन्तवत् antavat अन्तवत् (adj.) nom.sg. (nominative singular)n. having an end / perishable
तु tu ind. (contrast.) but
फलम् phalam फल (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) fruit / result
तेषाम् teṣām तद् pron. (pronoun) gen.pl. (genitive plural)m. of them
तत् tat तद् pron. (pronoun) nom.sg. (nominative singular)n. that
भवति bhavati √भू pres. (present) 3sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) becomes / is
अल्प-मेधसाम् alpa-medhasām अल्प + मेधस् (n.) bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) gen.pl. (genitive plural)m. of the small-minded
देवान् devān देव (m.) acc.pl. (accusative plural) the devas
देव-यजः deva-yajaḥ देव + यजस् (suffix) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. worshippers of devas
यान्ति yānti √या pres. (present) 3pl.par. (parasmaipada / active voice) they go to
मद्-भक्ताः mad-bhaktāḥ मद् + भक्त (adj.) tatpuruṣa cpd. (compound) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. My devotees
माम् mām अस्मद् pron. (pronoun) acc.sg. (accusative singular) Me
अपि api ind. (emph.) indeed
Purport

Some commentators on the Bhagavad-gītā say that one who worships a demigod can reach the Supreme Lord, but here it is clearly stated that the worshipers of demigods go to the different planetary systems where various demigods are situated, just as a worshiper of the sun achieves the sun or a worshiper of the demigod of the moon achieves the moon. Similarly, if anyone wants to worship a demigod like Indra, he can attain that particular god’s planet. It is not that everyone, regardless of whatever demigod is worshiped, will reach the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is denied here, for it is clearly stated that the worshipers of demigods go to different planets in the material world but the devotee of the Supreme Lord goes directly to the supreme planet of the Personality of Godhead. Here the point may be raised that if the demigods are different parts of the body of the Supreme Lord, then the same end should be achieved by worshiping them. However, worshipers of the demigods are less intelligent because they don’t know to what part of the body food must be supplied. Some of them are so foolish that they claim that there are many parts and many ways to supply food. This isn’t very sanguine. Can anyone supply food to the body through the ears or eyes? They do not know that these demigods are different parts of the universal body of the Supreme Lord, and in their ignorance they believe that each and every demigod is a separate God and a competitor of the Supreme Lord. Not only are the demigods parts of the Supreme Lord, but ordinary living entities are also. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that the brāhmaṇas are the head of the Supreme Lord, the kṣatriyas are His arms, the vaiśyas are His waist, the śūdras are His legs, and all serve different functions. Regardless of the situation, if one knows that both the demigods and he himself are part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, his knowledge is perfect. But if he does not understand this, he achieves different planets where the demigods reside. This is not the same destination the devotee reaches. The results achieved by the demigods’ benedictions are perishable because within this material world the planets, the demigods and their worshipers are all perishable. Therefore it is clearly stated in this verse that all results achieved by worshiping demigods are perishable, and therefore such worship is performed by the less intelligent living entity. Because the pure devotee engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness in devotional service of the Supreme Lord achieves eternal blissful existence that is full of knowledge, his achievements and those of the common worshiper of the demigods are different. The Supreme Lord is unlimited; His favor is unlimited; His mercy is unlimited. Therefore the mercy of the Supreme Lord upon His pure devotees is unlimited.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
23. The results obtained by these foolish persons are temporary. Those who worship devas attain the devas, and those who worship Me attain to Me.
Commentary

“But then You give the devotees of the devatā temporary results, whereas You give Your devotees permanent results. It is unjust for You to do that, since You are the Supreme Lord.” No, it is not unjust. Those who worship the devatās attain (yānti) the devatās. Those who worship Me attain Me. The meaning is this. It is very logical that a person attains what he worships. Thus if the devatā are temporary, how can their devotees become permanent, and how can the results of worship be permanent? Thus it is said here that the devotees of those devatā are not intelligent (alpa-medhasām). The Supreme Lord however is eternal, and therefore His devotees are also eternal. Their bhakti and all the results of their bhakti are eternal.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
23. The results obtained by these foolish persons are temporary. Those who worship devas attain the devas, and those who worship Me attain to Me.
Commentary

“Well, if the devatās are Your bodies, then worshipping them should yield the same result as worshipping You directly.” Those who have scant intelligence (alpa medhasām), and worship devatās, considering only the particular devatā, not understanding that the devatā is My body, obtain only scant, temporary results. Those who worship the devatā with the understanding that the devatā is My body (not being of scant intelligence) obtain infinite, eternal results. This is because the worshippers of the devatās go to the devatās who have limited enjoyment and limited life span. But My devotees attain Me and infinite, indestructible results, from worshipping Me, who am endowed with eternal, infinite form, qualities and powers. Great difference in the results of worship is indicated.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

The demigods' worshipers work just as hard or even harder than the devotees of Krsna, but yet just see the difference between their results. 'Alpa‑medhasam= hrta jnana'‑ very small intelligence. So much hard endeavor for such a temporary result.

[ 2 . Impersonalists: Less intelligent men think that Krsna is impersonal and has only assumed His current form and personality. (24) Krsna's yogamaya covers these foolish and unintelligent men so that they can never know Him. (24‑25) ]

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Result of worshipping demigods – Only perishable results of no eternal benefit

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 7.23 & 7.24: In addition to the demigod worshipers, another class of men who

surrender, but improperly, are the Impersonalists. They are described next.

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
7.23 Since those non-discriminating men with desires are engaged in disciplines for limited results, therefore, tat phalam, that result; tesam, of theirs; alpamedhasam, who are of poor intellect, of poor wisdom; antavat tu bhavati, is limited, ephemeral, indeed. Deva-yajah, the worshippers of gods; yanti, go; devan, to the gods. Madbhaktah, My devotees; yanti, to; mam api, to Me alone. 'Thus, though the effort needed is the same, they do not resort to me alone for the unlimited result. Alas! they are surely in a pitiable condition.' In this manner the Lord expresses his compassion. 'Why do they not take refuge in Me alone?' The answer is:
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
7.23 The men of 'small understanding' means those whose understanding is poor, who worship only Indra and other divinities. The fruit of their worship is small and finite. Why? The worshippers of divinities like Indra go to the divinities. And Indra and other divinities possess limited joy and live only for a limited time. So if they attain eality of enjoyment with them, they also fall down along with them in due course; but My devotees, knowing that their acts are of the nature of My worship, renouncing attachment for finite, fruits, reach Me, having for their purpose the pleasing of Me alone. That is, they never more return to Samsara. For Sri Krsna teaches later on: 'But on reaching Me there is no rirth, O Arjuna' (8.16). Now Sri Krsna declares: 'But these others (i.e., who worship Indra etc.) regard as insignificant even My incarnations among men and other beings in order to make Myself easy for all to resort to.'
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
7.20-23 Kamaih etc. upto man api. On the other hand, those persons, whose minds are conditioned by a variety of their own respective desires for the best and so on (or the desires that may be classified as the best and so on) - they have thier thinking faculty carried away by their desires, and worship a particular deity who possesses nothing but My intermediate body that suits only to those devotees' desires. Hence, they obtain their desired result from Me alone. But, that result has an end of its own, because it is limited by the mental impressions of their own. Therefore those who perform sacrifice etc., with the aim of becming Indra etc., (or of attaining the houses of Indra etc.) gain their desired fruit accordingly. On the other hand, those whose chief aim is to attain Me, they gain Me alone. But, while the Absolute-being is immanent in all, how is it that the fruit achieved by the worshippers of other deities is limited ? The answer is given as :
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
7.23 Verily the reward (fruit) that accrues to those men of small intelligence is finite. The worshippers of the gods go to them, but My devotees come to Me.
Commentary

7.23 अन्तवत् finite? तु verily? फलम् the fruit? तेषाम् of them? तत् that? भवति is? अल्पमेधसाम् those of small intelligence? देवान् to the gods? देवयजः the worshippers of the gods? यान्ति go to? मद्भक्ताः My devotees? यान्ति go to? माम् Me? अपि also.Commentary The exertion in the two kinds is the same and yet people do not attempt to worship the Supreme Being in order to attain the maximum benefits or the infinite reward (liberation or Moksha). The reward obtained by men of small understandng and petty intellect who worship the minor deities is small? perishable and temporary.Yajnas (Vedic rituals)? Homas (rituals in which oblations are offered into the sacred fire) and Tapas (penance) of various sorts can bestow only temporary rewards on the performer. Liberation from the wheel of transmigration alone will give everlasting bliss and eternal peace.Those who worship Indra and others are Sattvic devotees those who worship Yakshas and Rakshasas (demoniacal beings) are Rajasic devotees and those who worship the Bhutas and Pretas (discarnate spirits) are Tamasic devotees.The knowledge of those who worship the small deities is partial and incomplete. It cannot lead to liberation. (Cf.IX.25)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
7.23 That result of theirs who are of poor intellect is indeed limited. The worshippers of gods go to the gods. My devotees go to Me alone.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
7.23 The fruit that comes to men of limited insight is, after all, finite. They who worship the Lower Powers attain them; but those who worship Me come unto Me alone.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 9.21 BG 8.16 BG 9.25 SB 3.32.2 SB 11.21.23 SB 2.3.10 CC Madhya 19.149 CC Madhya 22.86 CC Madhya 24.86 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.2.10Chāndogya Upaniṣad 8.1.6
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Those who worship the demigods go to the demigods; those who worship Me come to Me — the result corresponds to the object.
Practical Applications
  • Choose your object of worship carefully — you will go where you worship.
  • Recognize that not all destinations are equal.
  • Aim for Kṛṣṇa, not demigod realms.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I worshiping that I don't actually want to go?
  • What is my chosen destination, and is my worship aligned?
Analogy

A traveler buys a ticket and boards a bus to the city he named. He may dislike the city when he arrives, but he chose it at the counter. Worship is the ticket counter of saṁsāra. Whatever object you face with sincere worship, that destination you board for. Kṛṣṇa-bhaktas hold a ticket to Kṛṣṇa-loka. Demigod-worshippers hold a ticket to demigod-loka. Both will arrive — and one ticket is round-trip, the other one-way.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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