Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 23

English Translation

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.

Detailed Commentary

।।7.23।। **Explanation**—'Antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām' (Gita 7.23) – those of limited understanding who worship deities receive limited and perishable results. A doubt arises: according to Bhagavan's ordinance, results should be eternal, so why do they receive impermanent results? The solution is that they harbor desires for perishable objects and perceive the deities as separate from Bhagavan. Therefore, they receive perishable fruits. However, if they worship deities with nishkam bhava (selfless devotion) or understanding them as manifestations of Bhagavan, they can attain imperishable results. Here, 'Tat' (that) implies that the fruit indeed originates from Bhagavan, but due to desire (kamana), it becomes perishable. 'Alpa-medhasām' signifies that they have to observe more rules and rituals, yet the fruit remains limited. In the adoration of Bhagavan, so many rules are not required, yet the fruit is infinite. In the worship of deities, there are more rules, less fruit is attained, and it leads to bondage; whereas in the worship of Bhagavan, there are fewer rules, more fruit is attained, and it leads to ultimate welfare (kalyan). Yet, people worship deities, which is why their intellect (buddhi) is diminished. 'Devān deva-yajo yānti mad-bhaktā yānti mām api' (Gita 7.23) – "Those who worship the devas (deities) go to the devas, and My devotees come to Me." The word 'api' (also) clarifies that through the worship of Bhagavan, desires can be fulfilled, and His attainment is also achieved. All desires of those who worship Bhagavan *can* be fulfilled, but this is not a strict rule. Bhagavan fulfills desires if He deems it appropriate; otherwise, not. Performing bhajan (devotional worship) of Bhagavan keeps alive the remembrance of one's eternal relationship with Him, because the relationship with Bhagavan is permanent. Upon attaining Bhagavan, one does not have to return to the material world – 'yad gatvā na nivartante' (Gita 15.6). However, the relationship with deities is karma-generated, hence after going to the deva-loka (realm of deities), one has to return to the mortal world – 'kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśanti' (Gita 9.21). Those who perform bhajan of Bhagavan attain Him alone – with this understanding, all four types of devotees – the arthaarthi (one who desires wealth), the aarta (the distressed), the jigyasu (the inquisitive), and the Gyani (the wise) – are virtuous (sukriti) and noble (udara) (Gita 7.16-18). 'Mad-bhaktā yānti mām api' means that whatever the conduct of any jiva (individual soul), ultimately, it is a part (ansha) of Bhagavan. If one abandons attachment and insistence (agraha) on the material world, then the attainment of Bhagavan will occur. The special point is that everything is Bhagavatsvarupa (of the nature of Bhagavan); yet, considering the world as separate from Bhagavan and harboring one's own desires – these two are causes of degradation (patan). If desires (kamana) vanish, then the world will begin to appear as Bhagavatsvarupa. If the world begins to appear as Bhagavatsvarupa, then desires will also vanish, and the service of Bhagavan will become natural. If these two things happen simultaneously, then what more could one say? **Connection**—Although the worship of deities yields limited results, why do people still get entangled in it and not engage with Bhagavan? The answer to this is given in the next verse.