Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 7 · Jnana Vijnana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 7.20 कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः
श्लोक 7.20
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः ।
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥
kāmaistaistairhṛtajñānāḥ prapadyante'nyadevatāḥ |
taṃ taṃ niyamamāsthāya prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जिनकी बुद्धि तरह-तरह की कामनाओं ने हर ली है, वे अपने स्वभाव से प्रेरित होकर विभिन्न नियमों का पालन करते हुए अन्य देवताओं की शरण लेते हैं।
Meaning in English
Those whose understanding is carried away by various desires turn to other deities, following particular rituals, led by their own nature.
Bhagavad Gita 7.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कामैः | kāmaiḥ | by desires |
| तैः तैः | taiḥ taiḥ | by this and that |
| हृतज्ञानाः | hṛta-jñānāḥ | whose discernment is carried away |
| प्रपद्यन्ते | prapadyante | resort to |
| अन्यदेवताः | anya-devatāḥ | other deities |
| तम् तम् | tam tam | this or that |
| नियमम् | niyamam | observance |
| आस्थाय | āsthāya | following |
| प्रकृत्या | prakṛtyā | by nature |
| नियताः | niyatāḥ | led |
| स्वया | svayā | by their own |
Explanation
Those whose discernment is carried away by various desires turn to other deities, following this or that observance, driven by their own nature. They seek particular gifts rather than the source of all gifts. They seek particular gifts rather than the giver.
Verses 7.20 to 7.23 discuss worship of other deities. Shankara explains that desire for specific results leads people to worship deities associated with those results, with rituals suited to them. Ramanuja reads the other deities as forms within the Lord's body, so even this worship ultimately reaches him, though the worshippers do not realise it. The verse describes rather than condemns; their nature, shaped by past tendencies, leads them to such forms of worship.
भावार्थ
जिनका ज्ञान तरह-तरह की कामनाओं से हर लिया गया है, वे अपनी प्रकृति से प्रेरित होकर भिन्न-भिन्न नियमों का पालन करते हुए अन्य देवताओं की शरण लेते हैं। वे देने वाले के बजाय दान को चाहते हैं।
Living it today
When praying for specific outcomes, also remember the larger source; ask for wisdom along with the things you want.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 7.20?
Those whose discernment is carried away by various desires turn to other deities, following this or that observance, driven by their own nature. They seek particular gifts rather than the source of all gifts. They seek particular gifts rather than the giver.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 7.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 7 (Jnana Vijnana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 7.20 in daily life?
When praying for specific outcomes, also remember the larger source; ask for wisdom along with the things you want.
Reflected on verse 7.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.