Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 20

English Translation

People, deprived of their wisdom by desires for various objects and guided by their own nature, resort to other deities following the relevant methods.

Detailed Commentary

Annotation 7.20: Regarding 'kāmaistaiḥ-tair-hṛtajñānāḥ' — those whose knowledge is veiled by desires for enjoyments in this world and the next. This means that even having attained a human body, meant for realizing the Paramātmā, people remain engrossed in fulfilling their desires. The craving for pleasure born of contact (with objects) is called `kāmanā` (desire). `Kāmanā` is of two types: the desire for accumulating wealth for enjoyments here, and the desire for accumulating merit (`puṇya`) for enjoyments in the afterlife. The desire for accumulating wealth is twofold: first, for enjoyments here; and second, for ego (`abhimāna`). Similarly, the desire for accumulating merit is also twofold: first, to be called virtuous (`puṇyātmā`) here; and second, for enjoyments in the afterlife. These desires obscure `viveka` (discrimination) regarding right and wrong, eternal and ephemeral, and so forth. When `viveka` is obscured, people fail to understand how long the things they desire will remain with them, and how long they themselves will remain with those things. Regarding 'prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā' — due to `viveka` being obscured by desires, they remain controlled by their `prakṛti`. Here, `prakṛti` means individual disposition or inherent nature. Individual nature is prominent in everyone. However, a human being can relinquish the flaws of this nature. A human being is free to purify their own nature. But as long as the purpose within a person is to fulfill desires, they cannot improve their nature. However, one whose purpose becomes the eradication of desires can improve their nature. Regarding 'taṁ taṁ niyamam-āsthāya' — being subject to their own nature due to desires, people seek various means and rules for fulfilling those desires. The methods for such means, like whether desires will be fulfilled through `yajña` (ritual sacrifice), `tapa` (austerity), `dāna` (charity), or `mantra-japa` (chanting), are varied. People adopt numerous means and observances for the fulfillment of their desires. Regarding 'prapadyante anyadevatāḥ' — for the fulfillment of desires, they take refuge in other deities (`anyadevatāḥ`), not in Bhagavān (the Supreme Lord). The term `anyadevatāḥ` implies that they do not consider these deities as manifestations of Bhagavān, but rather as separate entities. For this reason, they obtain perishable fruits. If they were to consider the deities as forms of Bhagavān, they would attain imperishable fruits. Here, there are two main reasons for taking refuge in deities: one, desire (`kāmanā`), and two, subjection to one's own nature (`svabhāva`).