Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 9.20 त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा
श्लोक 9.20
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा
यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते ।
ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक-
मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ॥
traividyā māṃ somapāḥ pūtapāpā
yajñairiṣṭvā svargatiṃ prārthayante |
te puṇyamāsādya surendraloka-
maśnanti divyāndivi devabhogān ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
तीनों वेदों के ज्ञाता, सोमरस पीने वाले और पापों से शुद्ध हुए लोग यज्ञों से मेरी पूजा करके स्वर्ग की कामना करते हैं। वे पुण्य से इंद्रलोक पाकर वहाँ देवताओं के दिव्य भोग भोगते हैं।
Meaning in English
Those versed in the three Vedas, who drink the soma and are cleansed of sin, worship me through sacrifices and pray for heaven. Reaching the holy world of Indra, they enjoy divine pleasures among the gods.
Bhagavad Gita 9.20 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्रैविद्याः | traividyāḥ | knowers of the three Vedas |
| माम् | mām | me |
| सोमपाः | soma-pāḥ | drinkers of soma |
| पूतपापाः | pūta-pāpāḥ | cleansed of sin |
| यज्ञैः इष्ट्वा | yajñaiḥ iṣṭvā | having worshipped through sacrifices |
| स्वर्गतिम् | svar-gatim | the way to heaven |
| प्रार्थयन्ते | prārthayante | pray for |
| ते | te | they |
| पुण्यम् | puṇyam | the holy |
| आसाद्य | āsādya | reaching |
| सुरेन्द्रलोकम् | surendra-lokam | the world of Indra |
| अश्नन्ति | aśnanti | enjoy |
| दिव्यान् | divyān | divine |
| दिवि | divi | in heaven |
| देवभोगान् | deva-bhogān | pleasures of the gods |
Explanation
Those learned in the three Vedas, who drink the soma and are purified of sin, worship me through sacrifices and pray to reach heaven. They attain the holy world of Indra, king of the gods, and enjoy the divine pleasures of the gods in heaven.
Krishna now contrasts devotion with ritual performed for heavenly reward. Vedic ritualists who drank the sacred soma juice and offered sacrifices do reach heaven, Indra's world, and their worship is in fact directed to Krishna, though they do not know it. Shankara notes they worship the Lord in the form of the Vedic gods. Ramanuja stresses that their goal is limited because they seek enjoyment rather than the Lord himself. The verse recalls Krishna's earlier critique, in 2.42–44, of those who delight in the flowery words of the Vedas.
भावार्थ
तीनों वेदों के ज्ञाता, सोमरस पीने वाले, पापों से शुद्ध हुए लोग यज्ञों द्वारा मेरी पूजा करके स्वर्ग की प्रार्थना करते हैं। वे पुण्य के फलस्वरूप इन्द्रलोक को पाकर स्वर्ग में देवताओं के दिव्य भोग भोगते हैं।
Living it today
Even good, disciplined lives can be aimed too low. Ask whether your efforts seek only comfort and reward, or something deeper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 9.20?
Those learned in the three Vedas, who drink the soma and are purified of sin, worship me through sacrifices and pray to reach heaven. They attain the holy world of Indra, king of the gods, and enjoy the divine pleasures of the gods in heaven.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.20?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 9 (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 9.20 in daily life?
Even good, disciplined lives can be aimed too low. Ask whether your efforts seek only comfort and reward, or something deeper.
Reflected on verse 9.20?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.