Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 9.25 यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः
श्लोक 9.25
यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः ।
भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ॥
yānti devavratā devānpitṝnyānti pitṛvratāḥ |
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti madyājino'pi mām ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
देवताओं को पूजने वाले देवताओं को, पितरों को पूजने वाले पितरों को और भूतों को पूजने वाले भूतों को प्राप्त होते हैं, पर मेरी पूजा करने वाले मुझे ही प्राप्त होते हैं।
Meaning in English
Worshippers of the gods go to the gods; worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors; worshippers of spirits go to the spirits; and those who worship me come to me.
Bhagavad Gita 9.25 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यान्ति | yānti | go |
| देवव्रताः | deva-vratāḥ | worshippers of the gods |
| देवान् | devān | to the gods |
| पितॄन् | pitṝn | to the ancestors |
| यान्ति | yānti | go |
| पितृव्रताः | pitṛ-vratāḥ | worshippers of the ancestors |
| भूतानि | bhūtāni | to the spirits |
| यान्ति | yānti | go |
| भूतेज्याः | bhūta-ijyāḥ | worshippers of spirits |
| यान्ति | yānti | go |
| मद्याजिनः | mad-yājinaḥ | my worshippers |
| अपि माम् | api mām | to me |
Explanation
Those devoted to the gods go to the gods; those devoted to the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship spirits go to the spirits; and those who worship me come to me. We reach what we worship. The goal follows the devotion.
This verse states a simple principle: we reach what we worship. The object of our devotion shapes our destiny. Worship of gods, ancestors or nature spirits brings one to their limited realms, while worship of the Lord leads to him. Shankara notes that the same effort in worship yields very different results depending on its object. Ramanuja stresses that coming to the Lord means freedom from return. Many readers apply the principle psychologically too: we gradually become like what we give our attention and love to.
भावार्थ
देवताओं को पूजने वाले देवताओं को प्राप्त होते हैं, पितरों को पूजने वाले पितरों को, भूतों को पूजने वाले भूतों को, और मेरा पूजन करने वाले मुझे ही प्राप्त होते हैं।
Living it today
You slowly become what you give your time and love to. Choose carefully where you place your devotion and attention.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 9.25?
Those devoted to the gods go to the gods; those devoted to the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship spirits go to the spirits; and those who worship me come to me. We reach what we worship. The goal follows the devotion.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.25?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 9 (Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 9.25 in daily life?
You slowly become what you give your time and love to. Choose carefully where you place your devotion and attention.
Reflected on verse 9.25?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.