Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 9.21 ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं
श्लोक 9.21
ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं
क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति ।
एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना
गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ॥
te taṃ bhuktvā svargalokaṃ viśālaṃ
kṣīṇe puṇye martyalokaṃ viśanti |
evaṃ trayīdharmamanuprapannā
gatāgataṃ kāmakāmā labhante ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
वे उस विशाल स्वर्गलोक को भोगकर पुण्य समाप्त होने पर फिर मनुष्य लोक में आ जाते हैं। इस प्रकार वेदों के कर्मकांड का पालन करने वाले, भोगों की कामना वाले लोग बार-बार आते-जाते रहते हैं।
Meaning in English
Having enjoyed that vast heavenly world, they return to the world of mortals once their merit is used up. Thus, following the Vedic rites while driven by desire, they keep coming and going.
Bhagavad Gita 9.21 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ते | te | they |
| तम् | tam | that |
| भुक्त्वा | bhuktvā | having enjoyed |
| स्वर्गलोकम् | svarga-lokam | heavenly world |
| विशालम् | viśālam | vast |
| क्षीणे पुण्ये | kṣīṇe puṇye | when merit is exhausted |
| मर्त्यलोकम् | martya-lokam | the world of mortals |
| विशन्ति | viśanti | enter |
| एवम् | evam | thus |
| त्रयीधर्मम् | trayī-dharmam | the religion of the three Vedas |
| अनुप्रपन्नाः | anuprapannāḥ | following |
| गतागतम् | gata-āgatam | going and coming |
| कामकामाः | kāma-kāmāḥ | desiring desires |
| लभन्ते | labhante | obtain |
Explanation
Having enjoyed that vast heavenly world, they return to the world of mortals when their merit is used up. So those who follow the Vedic rites while desiring enjoyments obtain only going and coming. Heaven, too, is temporary, like savings that run out.
Heaven in the Gita is not eternal. It is like spending savings: when the merit earned on earth is exhausted, one returns. The phrase kshine punye martyalokam vishanti, when merit runs out they enter the mortal world, is often quoted. Kama-kamah, those who desire desires, describes the restless seeker of pleasure, a phrase also found in 2.70. Shankara and Ramanuja both see here the limit of ritual action done for results. The verse completes the contrast with the devotee, whose care Krishna himself takes up in 9.22.
भावार्थ
वे उस विशाल स्वर्गलोक को भोगकर पुण्य क्षीण होने पर मृत्युलोक में लौट आते हैं। इस प्रकार तीनों वेदों के कर्मकाण्ड का आश्रय लेने वाले भोगों की कामना करने वाले लोग बार-बार आते-जाते रहते हैं।
Living it today
Pleasures bought with effort run out like any account. Invest some of your energy in what does not get used up: understanding and love.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 9.21?
Having enjoyed that vast heavenly world, they return to the world of mortals when their merit is used up. So those who follow the Vedic rites while desiring enjoyments obtain only going and coming. Heaven, too, is temporary, like savings that run out.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.21?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 9 (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 9.21 in daily life?
Pleasures bought with effort run out like any account. Invest some of your energy in what does not get used up: understanding and love.
Reflected on verse 9.21?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.