यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः ।
भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ॥25॥
yānti deva-vratā devān pitṝīn yānti pitṛi-vratāḥ
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām
श्लोक २५: जो देवताओं की पूजा करते हैं, वो देवताओं के पास जाते हैं, जो पितरों के उपासक हैं, वे पितरों के पास जाते हैं, जो भूत-प्रेत के उपासक हैं, वे भूत-प्रेतों के पास जाते हैं और जो मेरी पूजा करते हैं वे मुझ तक पहुँच जाते हैं।
Shloka 25: Those who worship the devatas go to the devatas, those who worship the ancestors go to the ancestors, those who worship the spirits go to the spirits and those who worship Me will reach Me.
In Bhagavad Gita verse 9.25, Krishna lays out a fundamental spiritual truth using simple, concrete examples. He observes how the goals and aspirations of a worshiper shape their ultimate destination. Whether one chooses to worship demigods, ancestors, elemental spirits, or Krishna Himself, the outcome will mirror the object of that devotion. This verse emphasizes not just spiritual freedom but also responsibility: the consequences of one’s worship align precisely with the chosen focus of reverence and intent.
To better understand, imagine life as a journey with many different roads. At each fork, you choose a path based on what you seek most deeply. Krishna clarifies that if you decide to dedicate yourself to the demigods—celestial beings who manage the universe’s workings—you will reach their realms after this life. If your devotion is directed towards ancestors, your next destination aligns with the forefathers. Similarly, those who perform rituals or practices for lower spirits or elemental beings end up in those realms. But if you worship Krishna with genuine love and intent, your destiny becomes His — the eternal spiritual realm.
Krishna’s statement underscores that while all acts of worship are acknowledged, their results differ greatly. The demigods and ancestral spirits are part of the material world, and so are their abodes. These realms, though elevated, remain impermanent and subject to the laws of time and change. In contrast, the goal of worshiping Krishna is described as reaching an everlasting, unchanging spiritual destination, one that stands beyond all cycles of birth, death, and rebirth.
The verse also highlights the subtlety of human intention. It is not just the external form of worship—rituals, offerings, or prayers—but the focus behind them that determines the result. The Sanskrit word ‘vrata’ in the verse points to resolve or intention. Whether one chooses to pour their efforts into material gain, ancestral duties, esoteric practices, or single-minded devotion to Krishna, the intention shapes the reality that unfolds. The design of the universe, as Krishna presents it, is finely tuned to reflect the aspirations and faith of each seeker.
Through this framework, Krishna invites a reflection on priorities and the nature of fulfillment. The destinations associated with demigods or ancestors might offer pleasures or rewards, but they are temporary and limited, just as the lives of these beings are limited within the material cosmos. Eventually, the soul must move on, continuing the journey through different realms. By contrast, the destination promised to those who choose Krishna is permanent—a state of blissful unity and freedom from all limitations.
This teaching is subtly profound. It does not diminish the value of any religious or devotional path; rather, it clarifies the scope of their outcomes. Individuals are free to choose their object of worship, but the results are inherently tied to their choice. The process respects personal autonomy, without coercion, while making transparent the nature of each potential outcome. In this way, Krishna’s words are both a gentle caution and an open invitation to seek what is truly enduring.
One way to picture this is to imagine cultivating different types of gardens. If you plant seeds of annual flowers, you will enjoy a season of beauty, but their bloom is short-lived. If you plant a mighty banyan tree, its shade and shelter last for generations. Similarly, the kind of devotion you nurture determines the quality and span of what you ultimately receive.
Thus, this verse is not just a theoretical teaching but a practical map for life. Each worshiper holds the power to decide their journey’s end by the object of their devotion. Krishna’s assurance is clear: sincere worship of Him leads to the highest, most satisfying destination—a union that is unbreakable and eternal. This insight elevates the importance of conscious, mindful devotion and invites seekers to reflect: what are you truly aiming for, and is it worth the journey?
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