4.12 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4, Verse 12

In Bhagavad Gita 4.12, Lord Krishna explains why many people choose to worship celestial gods rather than directly approaching Him, despite His willingness to reciprocate with all who seek Him. The verse reveals that those desiring success in material activities prefer to worship deities because material rewards manifest more quickly in this way.

This verse illuminates a fundamental aspect of human nature—our impatience and desire for immediate gratification. Krishna explains that when devotees approach Him directly, He first purifies their hearts before fulfilling their desires. This purification process ensures that what they're asking for won't ultimately harm them, but it also creates a delay that many aren't willing to endure. It's similar to how a mother might refuse to give ice cream to a child with a sore throat, not out of cruelty but out of care for the child's well-being.

The example of Dhruva Maharaja illustrates this principle perfectly. When Dhruva approached Krishna with the desire for a kingdom greater than Lord Brahma's, he performed severe austerities for six months before receiving Krishna's darshan (divine vision). Interestingly, by the time Dhruva actually stood in Krishna's presence, his heart had been so purified through the process that he no longer desired the material kingdom he had originally sought. His consciousness had evolved to desire Krishna's spiritual association instead. Nevertheless, Krishna fulfilled both desires—granting him spiritual enlightenment and allowing him to rule for many years.

In contrast, those who approach various demigods (devatas) can receive quicker results because these celestial beings, who are like Krishna's assistants in cosmic governance, don't necessarily prioritize the spiritual purification of their worshippers. They simply grant the desires of those who perform the proper rituals and offerings, regardless of whether fulfilling those desires is spiritually beneficial. It's comparable to a child bypassing their mother's wisdom by directly purchasing ice cream from a store with their own money—they get what they want quickly, but without the protective oversight that might prevent harm.

Krishna points out that most people are "karmajā"—those who want to enjoy the fruits of their labor in this material world. They are primarily interested in material enjoyment rather than spiritual growth, which explains why Krishna consciousness remains rare while demigod worship is more common. People typically approach the demigods with specific material desires in mind, performing prescribed rituals with the expectation of quick results.

The verse also subtly suggests that all paths ultimately lead back to Krishna, as He states elsewhere that He created the four-fold caste system and is the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices. Even those who worship other deities are, in an indirect way, following Krishna's path, though they may not realize it. The demigods themselves are empowered by Krishna, making Him the ultimate source of all boons granted by any celestial being.

At its core, this verse invites us to examine our motivations and the quality of our desires. It challenges us to consider whether we are willing to undergo the necessary purification to receive what is truly beneficial for our spiritual evolution, or if we're merely seeking quick material gains without regard for our deeper spiritual welfare. Krishna implies that patience and purification lead to desires that align with our highest good, while shortcuts may bring immediate satisfaction but miss the opportunity for profound transformation.