FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 9.25

యాన్తి దేవవ్రతా దేవాన్పితౄన్యాన్తి పితృవ్రతా: । భూతాని యాన్తి భూతేజ్యా యాన్తి మద్యాజినోఽపి మామ్ ॥ ౨౫ ॥
yānti deva-vratā devān
[yaanti deva-vrataa devaan]
pitṝn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ
[pitreen yaanti pitri-vrataah]
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā
[bhootaani yaanti bhootejyaa]
yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām
[yaanti mad-yaajino ’pi maam]
Word-for-word
yānti — go deva - vratāḥ — worshipers of demigods devān — to the demigods pitṝn — to the ancestors yānti — go pitṛ - vratāḥ — worshipers of ancestors bhūtāni — to the ghosts and spirits yānti — go bhūta - ijyāḥ — worshipers of ghosts and spirits yānti — go mat — My yājinaḥ — devotees api — but mām — unto Me .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yānti deva-vratā devān
yānti
go
deva - vratāḥ
worshipers of demigods
devān
to the demigods
pitṝn yānti pitṛ-vratāḥ
pitṝn
to the ancestors
yānti
go
pitṛ - vratāḥ
worshipers of ancestors
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā
bhūtāni
to the ghosts and spirits
yānti
go
bhūta - ijyāḥ
worshipers of ghosts and spirits
yānti
go
yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām
mat
My
yājinaḥ
devotees
api
but
mām
unto Me .
Important Words
  • yānti — they go
    Present plural of √yā — to go. The verb is repeated four times in this verse — yānti devān, yānti pitṝn, bhūtāni yānti, yānti mām — drumming the principle into the listener: the direction of worship is the direction of travel.
  • deva - vratāḥ — worshippers of the demigods
    Devotees vowed to the devas. They reach the devas — a real destination, but limited. Their reward matches their address.
  • pitṛ - vratāḥ — worshippers of the ancestors
    Those whose vows are directed to the pitṛs. They reach pitṛ-loka — also a real destination, lower than deva-loka. The śrāddha rituals deliver their performers to where their worship pointed.
  • bhūta - ijyāḥ — worshippers of ghosts and spirits
    Bhūta (ghost, elemental being) + ijya (worshipped). Worshippers of preta-class entities reach those entities. Lower address, lower delivery — the geometry holds in every direction.
  • yājinaḥ — worshippers
    Plural of yājin — sacrificers, worshippers. Paired in this verse with mat (Me) by juxtaposition: mat-yājinaḥ — worshippers of Me. The fourth and final category, whose destination is mām — Him. The verse closes with that one syllable mām: the full stop of the journey.
Those who worship the demigods will take birth among the demigods; those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship ghosts and spirits will take birth among such beings; and those who worship Me will live with Me.
Purport

If one has any desire to go to the moon, the sun or any other planet, one can attain the desired destination by following specific Vedic principles recommended for that purpose, such as the process technically known as Darśa-paurṇamāsa. These are vividly described in the fruitive activities portion of the Vedas, which recommends a specific worship of demigods situated on different heavenly planets. Similarly, one can attain the Pitā planets by performing a specific yajña. Similarly, one can go to many ghostly planets and become a Yakṣa, Rakṣa or Piśāca. Piśāca worship is called “black arts” or “black magic.” There are many men who practice this black art, and they think that it is spiritualism, but such activities are completely materialistic. Similarly, a pure devotee, who worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead only, achieves the planets of Vaikuṇṭha and Kṛṣṇaloka without a doubt. It is very easy to understand through this important verse that if by simply worshiping the demigods one can achieve the heavenly planets, or by worshiping the Pitās achieve the Pitā planets, or by practicing the black arts achieve the ghostly planets, why can the pure devotee not achieve the planet of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu? Unfortunately many people have no information of these sublime planets where Kṛṣṇa and Viṣṇu live, and because they do not know of them they fall down. Even the impersonalists fall down from the brahma-jyotir. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is therefore distributing sublime information to the entire human society to the effect that by simply chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra one can become perfect in this life and go back home, back to Godhead.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
25. The worshippers of the devas go to the devas, and the worshippers of the Pitṛs go to the Pitṛs. The worshippers of ghosts go to the ghosts, and worshippers of Me go to Me.
Commentary

“But they are just worshipping those particular devatās according to the rules established in the books describing the method of worshipping those devatās. The Vaiṣṇavas worship Viṣṇu according what is stated in the books dedicated to Viṣṇu worship. What is wrong if those worshippers follow the instructions of those books?” “That is true, but the rule is this: the devotees of those particular devatās will attain only those particular devatās. And because the devatās are destructible, how can the worshippers of those devatās become indestructible? But it is understood that My devotees are eternal. They are imperishable, just as I am eternal and imperishable.” Both śruti and smṛti confirm the eternal nature of both the Lord and the devotee:

bhavān ekaḥ śiṣyate śeṣa-saṁjṣaḥ At that time, You alone remain, and You are known as Ananta. SB 10.3.25 eko nārāyaṇa evāsīn na brahmā na ca śaṅkaraḥ Nārāyaṇa alone existed, not Brahmā or Śiva. Mahā Upaniṣad 1 parārdhānte so ’budhyata gopa-rūpo me purastād āvirbabhūva At the end of Brahmā’s night, He arose from yoga nidrā and appeared before me as before in the form of a cowherd boy. Gopāla Tāpanī Upaniṣad 1.27 na cyavante ca mad-bhaktā mahati pralaye ’pi My devotees are not destroyed even at the time of pralaya. Skanda Purāṇa

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
25. The worshippers of the devas go to the devas, and the worshippers of the pitṛas go to the pitṛas. The worshippers of ghosts go to the ghosts, and worshippers of Me go to Me and do not return to this world.
Commentary

Though I actually am in the forms of the devatās, because they do not know that, they do not attain Me. That is what is stated in this verse. Because of the use of the word ijyā (worship) later in the verse, the word vrata at the beginning should also mean “worship” in order to give a conformity to the meaning. (Thus deva vratā means deva ijyā and pitṛ vratāḥ means pitṛ ījyā.) Those who worship devas (deva vratāḥ), those who worship Indra and others by ceremonies on the new and full moons in the sāttvika mode, go to those devas. Those in the mode of passion who worship pitṛs (pitṛ vratāḥ) by śrāddha and other rituals go only to the pitṛs. The worshippers of demons (bhūta ijyā), [Note: The word bhūta includes ghosts and demons in the mode of ignorance.] in the mode of ignorance, who worship yakṣas, rakṣasas and vināyaka demons by offerings to them [Note: The bali implies also animal victims.], go to those demons. But only (api) those who worship Me, those who are beyond the modes of nature, who offer Me easily obtainable items, go to Me. The word api is used to restrict going to Kṛṣṇa to those who worship Him. The meaning is this. The worshippers of beings other than Me think as follows. “We are worshippers of Indra and other devas. They are our lords. Being pleased by our worship they should give the results we desire.” My devotees think as follows. “The son of Vasudeva, the Lord of all, endowed with all powers, who is situated in the forms of the devatās, who is our master, being worshipped by easily obtained items and actions, will give all our desired results.” Though they perform exactly the same actions, those who serve the devatās, attain their desired goals alone, because their distaste for thinking of Me. They, with short life span, attain meager fortune, and after enjoying those limited items, they are also destroyed along with those items of enjoyment. But those who serve Me, attain Me, the Lord of all beings, the beginningless shelter, who fulfills all desires, who has infinite powers, who is composed of pure knowledge and bliss, and who is affectionate to the devotees. They never again take birth. They experience infinite happiness close to Me and play in My divine abode.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

In the last section Krsna pleaded for worshiping Him directly not for His own benefit but for the benefit of the worshiper. Krsna in this next section shows the glories of the direct worship of Him, in three ways: 1. The worship is simple, but gives superexcellent results; 2. Krsna is not neutral to His devotee, He shows favoritism; 3. Anyone can be purified by devotional service. Whereas the demigods's worship is very elaborated, very com plicated, requiring much opulence and expertise in chanting the mantras, the worship of Krsna is very easy.

[E. THE GLORIES OF DIRECTLY WORSHIPING KRSNA (9. 26‑34) 1. Krsna requests that one worship Him with devotion, even using a leaf, a fruit, a flower, or some water. Or one can offer Krsna the austerities and charities he performs. Such offerings will freed one from all reaction to work. With one's mind thus fixed on Krsna, the worshiper will come to Krsna. (26‑28) ]

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

Demigod Worshippers (‘Prthaktvenas’)

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
9.25 Deva-vratah, votaries of the gods, those whose religious observances [Making offerings and presents, circumambulation, bowing down, etc.] and devotion are directed to the gods; yanti, reach, go to; devan, the gods. Pitr-vratah, the votaries of the manes, those who are occupied with such rites as obseies etc., who are devoted to the manes; go pitrn, to the manes such as Agnisvatta and others. Bhutejyah, the Beings such as Vinayaka, the group of Sixteen (divine) Mothers, the Four Sisters, and others. And madyajinah, those who worship Me, those who are given to worshipping Me, the devotees of Visnu; reach mam, Me alone. Although the effort (involved) is the same, still owing to ingorance they do not worship Me exclusively. Thery they attain lesser results. This is the meaning. 'Not only do My devotees get the everlasting result in the form of non-return (to this world), but My worship also is easy.' How?
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
9.25 The term 'Vrata' in the text denotes will, intention or motive. Those who intend to worship gods, like Indra and others with the resolution, 'Let us worship Indra and other gods by ceremonies like the new moon and full moon sacrifices' - such worshippers go to Indra and other gods. Those who intend worshipping manes, resolving 'Let us worship the manes through sacrifices,' - such worshippers go to the manes or others resolving - 'Let us worship the Yaksas, Raksasas,' Pisacas and other evil spirits' - they go to them. But those who, with the same rites of worship, worship Me with the intention, 'Let us worship Lord Vasudeva, the Supreme Self, whose body is constituted of gods, the manes and the evil spirits' - they are My worshippers and they reach Me only. Those who intend worshipping gods etc., attain gods etc. After sharing limited enjoyment with them, they are destroyed with them when the time comes for their destruction. But My worshippers attain Me, who has no beginning or end, who is omniscient, whose will is unfailingly effective, who is a great ocean of innumerable auspicious attributes of unlimited excellence and whose bliss too is of limitless excellence. They do not return to Samsara. Such is the meaning. Sri Krsna continues to say, 'There is also another distinguishing characteristic of My worshippers.'
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
9.24 See Comment under 9.26
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
9.25 The worshippers of the gods go to them; to the manes go the ancestor-worshippers; to the deities who preside over the elements go their worshippers; but My devotees come to Me.
Commentary

9.25 यान्ति go? देवव्रताः worshippers of the gods? देवान् to the gods? पितृ़न् to the Pitris or ancestors? यान्ति go? पितृव्रताः worshippers of the Pitris? भूतानि to the Bhutas? यान्ति go? भूतेज्याः the worshippers of the Bhutas? यान्ति go? मद्याजिनः My worshippers? अपि also? माम् to Me.Commentary The worshippers of the manes such as the Agnisvattas who perform Sraaddha and other rites in devotion to their ancestors go to the manes. Those who worship the gods with devotion and vows go to them.Bhutas are elemental beings lower than the gods but higher than human beigns they are the Vinayakas? the hosts of Matris? the four Bhaginis and the like.Those who devote themselves to the gods attain the form of those gods at death. Similar is the fate of those who worship the manes (their own ancestors) or the Bhutas. The fruit of the worship is in accordance with the knowledge? faith? offering and nature of worship of the devotee.Though the exertion is the same? people do not worship Me on account of their ignorance. Conseently they get very little reward.My devotees obtain endless fruit. They do not come back to this mortal world. It is also easy for them to worship Me. How (Cf.VII.23)

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
9.25 Votaries of the gods reach the gods; the votarites of the manes go to the manes; the worshippers of the Beings reach the Beings; and those who worship Me reach Me.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
9.25 The votaries of the lesser Powers go to them; the devotees of spirits go to them; they who worship the Powers of Darkness, to such Powers shall they go; and so, too, those who worship Me shall come to Me.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 8.6 BG 7.23 BG 14.18 SB 3.32.2 SB 7.1.26 SB 11.14.14 CC Madhya 22.95 CC Madhya 19.149 CC Madhya 25.128 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.2.9Chāndogya Upaniṣad 3.14.1
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Those who worship demigods go to demigods; ancestors to ancestors; ghosts to ghosts; My worshipers come to Me.
Practical Applications
  • Recognize that worship has destination effects.
  • Choose your destination by choosing your worship.
  • Be deliberate, not casual.
Reflection Questions
  • What destination does my current worship pattern aim at?
  • Is that the destination I want?
Analogy

A traveller's destination is set by the address he writes on his ticket. The same coach leaves the station; one passenger gets off at the first town because his ticket said so, another at the second, another stays through to the last station. Kṛṣṇa explains the principle simply: yānti — they go where they have addressed themselves. Worship Me, the journey terminates in Me. Worship a closer station, you reach the closer station.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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