But the reward gained by those of limited understanding is finite. Those who worship the radiant beings go to the radiant beings; my devotees come to me.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 7.23
Hindi · हिन्दी
परन्तु उन अल्पबुद्धिवाले मनुष्योंको उन देवताओंकी आराधनाका फल अन्तवाला नाशवान् ही मिलता है । देवताओंका पूजन करनेवाले देवताओंको प्राप्त होते हैं और मेरे भक्त मेरे ही प्राप्त होते हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
अन्तवत्तुfinite indeedफलम्fruit, resultतेषाम्of thoseतत्thatभवतिbecomesअल्पमेधसाम्of the little-wiseदेवान्to the radiant beingsदेवयजःworshippers of the radiant beingsयान्तिgoमद्भक्ताःmy devoteesयान्तिgoमाम्to meअपिalso
Read literallyfinite indeed · fruit, result · of those · that · becomes · of the little-wise · to the radiant beings · worshippers of the radiant beings · go · my devotees · go · to me · also
Understanding the verse
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Krishna says limited worship brings limited fruit: worshippers of the gods reach the gods, his devotees reach him.
Half-hearted understanding gives limited results. Those who worship lesser powers reach those powers, while Krishna's devotees reach Krishna.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
After showing how faith can be placed in many forms, Krishna draws the line: limited worship gives limited fruit, but devotion to him leads to him.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A shopkeeper prays each Diwali for a better season, gets one, and next year prays again. Krishna would call that fruit finite: you reach what you worship for, and devotion to him leads to him.
The takeaway
“Your deepest allegiance determines your destination.”
Explore related themes: bhakti(69 verses), shraddha(34 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 7.23 mean?
Half-hearted understanding gives limited results. Those who worship lesser powers reach those powers, while Krishna's devotees reach Krishna.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 7.23?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Jnana Vijnana Yoga" (Knowledge and Wisdom).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 7.23?
Verse 23 sits in Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gita — Jnana Vijnana Yoga, "Knowledge and Wisdom". The chapter has 30 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 7.23 matter today?
A shopkeeper prays each Diwali for a better season, gets one, and next year prays again. Krishna would call that fruit finite: you reach what you worship for, and devotion to him leads to him.
Krishna says limited worship brings limited fruit: worshippers of the gods reach the gods, his devotees reach him.
What this verse means
Half-hearted understanding gives limited results. Those who worship lesser powers reach those powers, while Krishna's devotees reach Krishna.
Context & commentary
After showing how faith can be placed in many forms, Krishna draws the line: limited worship gives limited fruit, but devotion to him leads to him.
What it looks like today
A shopkeeper prays each Diwali for a better season, gets one, and next year prays again. Krishna would call that fruit finite: you reach what you worship for, and devotion to him leads to him.
“Your deepest allegiance determines your destination.”
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses), shraddha (34 verses)