Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 22

English Translation

Being imbued with that faith, that person engages in worshipping that form, and he gets those very desired results therefrom as they are dispensed by Me alone.

Detailed Commentary

**7.22** Explanation—*Sa tayā shraddhayā yuktah...mayaiva vihitān*. A person endowed with faith established by Me endeavors to worship a *devata*, and the desired wish is fulfilled. Although in reality the desire is fulfilled by Me alone, he believes it to be fulfilled by the *devata*. In truth, the *devatas* possess My power, and they fulfill desires according to My plan. Just as government officials are given limited authority to spend a restricted amount and bestow rewards in a particular department, similarly, *devatas* also possess only a limited power to grant, and they cannot give beyond that. *Devatas* possess the power to take their devotees to their respective *lokas* (realms). However, after experiencing the fruits of their worship, they must return from there to the world again (Gita 8.16). The implication of '*mayaiva*' is that all activities in the world are operated by My plans alone. Therefore, whatever anyone receives is a part of My ordinance, for there is no one else besides Me who can ordain. If a person understands this mystery, he will be attracted solely to Me. **Connection**—Now the Lord describes the fruits according to worship.