7.22 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 22

In Bhagavad Gita verse 7.22, Krishna offers a profound explanation for how the process of desire-fulfillment works for those who do not directly worship Him but instead turn to other deities, or devatas. He describes the entire dynamic by which faith, worship, and the fulfillment of desires are interwoven, emphasizing that even for those who do not consciously seek Krishna, He remains the cosmic orchestrator behind all spiritual and material transactions.

When a person’s heart is set on a particular worldly wish, and their faith leads them to worship a specific devata who is traditionally associated with granting such boons, Krishna explains that it is He who empowers that faith. Endowed with this divinely sanctioned conviction, the individual dedicates themselves to the worship of the chosen deity, believing wholeheartedly in the efficacy of their rituals and prayers. Through this process, they do indeed receive the benefits they seek—material gains, success, or the fulfillment of cherished wishes.

The key insight Krishna provides, however, is that these apparent blessings from individual deities are not independently dispensed by the devatas themselves. The underlying reality is that all such results—no matter the form of worship or the intermediary—are ultimately sanctioned and granted by Krishna alone. The devatas act as appointed channels, but the authority to grant the fruits of desires lies solely with the Supreme Lord.

This perspective is both unifying and clarifying. It affirms that while the various forms of worship and different gods may serve as vehicles for people’s aspirations, the true source of all power and blessings is singular. Krishna does not interrupt or invalidate the faith others place in their chosen deities; in fact, He strengthens that faith to help people progress along their individual journey. In this sense, He is both the enabler and final granter of the results, regardless of the worshiper's awareness of His involvement.

The structure of this paradigm reveals the depth of Krishna’s compassion and inclusiveness. Even those who are not yet ready to turn to Him directly are not denied fulfillment of their desires. Their sincere efforts, undertaken according to their inclinations, are honored by Krishna, who works through the very channels they have chosen. This approach is not punitive; instead, Krishna acknowledges the diversity of human aspirations and the need for gradual spiritual evolution.

At the same time, the verse subtly underscores the temporal and limited nature of such material fulfillment. The blessings received through devata worship, though real, are bound by the nature of the desires themselves—temporary, finite, and often incapable of delivering lasting satisfaction. Krishna, as the ultimate granter of results, remains the only source of both temporary and eternal benefits, gently guiding souls towards deeper understanding.

By declaring “these benefits are bestowed by Me alone,” Krishna safeguards the integrity of the spiritual path. He makes it clear that worship of any devata—while sanctioned and effective for specific desires—is, in essence, worship of Him, albeit indirectly. This teaching invites a broader realization: all that is sought, and all that is gained, comes from the same divine source, regardless of the path taken.

In summary, verse 7.22 articulates a universal mechanism by which all spiritual pursuits, even those apparently outside direct devotion to Krishna, are ultimately harmonized through His will. It reflects an all-encompassing generosity, recognizing and facilitating the ambitions of every seeker, while gently pointing toward the oneness at the heart of all religious effort. Through this lens, the pursuit of desires and the fulfillment obtained through devata worship are not excluded from the divine plan but are embraced and overseen by the Supreme Being Himself.