Verse 23
अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम् | देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि || २३ ||
Transliteration
antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām devān deva-yajo yānti mad-bhaktā yānti mām api
Synonyms
antavat—perishable; tu—but; phalam—fruit; teṣām—of those; tat—that; bhavati—becomes; alpa-medhasām—of those of little intelligence; devān—to the demigods; deva-yajaḥ—worshippers of the demigods; yānti—go; mat-bhaktāḥ—My devotees; yānti—go; mām—to Me; api—also.
Translation
“But the fruit gained by those of lesser intelligence is perishable. The worshippers of the gods go to the gods; My devotees come to Me.”
Multi-Tradition Commentary
The contrast here is between temporary heavenly enjoyment and eternal liberation. Those who worship limited deities for limited goals attain those goals but must return to the cycle of birth and death. The devotee of the Supreme Lord, however, reaches His eternal abode and transcends the cycle entirely.
Practical Application (Modern Life)
Reflect on what you are ultimately seeking. If spiritual practice is primarily a tool for solving problems or gaining advantages, the results will be proportionally limited. If it is a sincere movement toward the Unlimited, the destination is unlimited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 7.23 mean?
But the fruit gained by those of lesser intelligence is perishable. The worshippers of the gods go to the gods; My devotees come to Me.
What is the word-by-word meaning of Bhagavad Gita 7.23?
antavat—perishable; tu—but; phalam—fruit; teṣām—of those; tat—that; bhavati—becomes; alpa-medhasām—of those of little intelligence; devān—to the demigods; deva-yajaḥ—worshippers of the demigods; yānti—go; mat-bhaktāḥ—My devotees; yānti—go; mām—to Me; api—also.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 7.23 in daily life?
Reflect on what you are ultimately seeking. If spiritual practice is primarily a tool for solving problems or gaining advantages, the results will be proportionally limited. If it is a sincere movement toward the Unlimited, the destination is unlimited.