Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9, Verse 25

English Translation

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.

Detailed Commentary

||9.25|| Commentary-- [The Lord previously stated that 'I am the enjoyer of all Yajnas and the master of the universe.' But those who do not accept Me as such, and consider themselves the enjoyer and master, they fall. In this verse, the cause of their fall is explained.] 'Devavratā yānti devān' -- Due to not understanding Bhagavān, people desirous of worldly enjoyments (bhoga) and prosperity (aishvarya) worship the devas according to the rules of Vedas and Shastras. The devas can only take them to those deva-lokas which are subject to return. Deva-pūjana is also indeed the worship of Bhagavān, but it is avidhipūrvaka (improper). They desire bhoga and aishvarya, therefore they fall. 'Pitṛnyānti Pitṛvratāḥ' -- Those who worship the Pitṛs (ancestors) receive help from the Pitṛs. They can reach Pitṛloka through their actions (karmas). Therefore, it is said that those who worship Pitṛs go to Pitṛloka. 'Bhūtāni yānti Bhūtejyāḥ' -- Those of Tāmasika nature worship bhūtas and pretas (ghosts and spirits). Their methods of worship are impure. Through this, their worldly desires may be fulfilled, but ultimately, they attain the yoni (species/form) of bhūtas and pretas. 'Yānti Madyājino'pi mām' -- Those who, with exclusive devotion (ananya bhāva), engage in Bhagavān's bhajan (chanting/devotion), pūjana (worship), and chintan (contemplation), they attain Bhagavān alone. Special Note People desirous of worldly bhoga and aishvarya focus on themselves, but do not comprehend the fundamental truth (tattva) attained through devotion to Bhagavān. They repeatedly get entangled in trivial worldly desires. A human being should engage solely in Bhagavān. If there is a sense of Bhagavān (Bhagavādbhāva) towards devas, Pitṛs, Rishis, Munis, and their service is performed with niṣkāma bhāva (desireless intention), then Bhagavāprāpti (attainment of Bhagavān) occurs. The worship of bhūtas, pretas, pishāchas, etc., is worthy of abandonment. Their worship does not lead to a good destiny (sadgati), but rather to a bad destiny (durgati). For the liberation (uddhār) of bhūtas and pretas, Shrāddha and Tarpaṇa can be performed. Connection-- In the worship of devas, there are many materials and elaborate methods; then how is there difficulty in the worship of Bhagavān? The Lord will provide the answer to this in the next verse.