Those who know the three Vedas, drink soma, and are purified by sacrifice pray for heaven. Having earned merit, they enjoy the divine pleasures of the realm of the radiant beings.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 9.20
Hindi · हिन्दी
वेदत्रयीमें कहे हुए सकाम अनुष्ठानको करनेवाले और सोमरसको पीनेवाले जो पापरहित मनुष्य यज्ञोंके द्वारा इन्द्ररूपसे मेरा पूजन करके स्वर्गप्राप्तिकी प्रार्थना करते हैं, वे पुण्यके फलस्वरूप इन्द्रलोकको प्राप्त करके वहाँ स्वर्गमें देवताओंके दिव्य भोगोंको भोगते हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
त्रैविद्याknowers of the three Vedasमांmeसोमपाःdrinkers of somaपूतपापाःpurified from sinयज्ञैःby sacrificesइष्ट्वाhaving worshippedस्वर्गतिम्heavenly attainmentप्रार्थयन्तेthey pray forतेtheyपुण्यम्meritआसाद्यhaving attainedसुरेन्द्रलोकम्realm of the lord of the radiant beingsअश्नन्तिthey enjoyदिव्यान्divineदिविin heavenदेवभोगान्pleasures of the radiant beings
Read literallyknowers of the three Vedas · me · drinkers of soma · purified from sin · by sacrifices · having worshipped · heavenly attainment · they pray for · they · merit · having attained · realm of the lord of the radiant beings · they enjoy · divine · in heaven · pleasures of the radiant beings
Understanding the verse
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Soma-drinkers who pray for heaven do get it, and Krishna treats that as a limited bargain.
People who perform Vedic sacrifices and seek reward pray for heaven. They gain merit, reach the heavenly realm, and enjoy its pleasures for a time.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna opens a wider vision of action, reward, and the limits of ritual while Arjuna stands frozen. Here Krishna describes people who worship for heavenly gain, showing that even rewarded action remains bound to return.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
After a big puja at home, you wait for the relatives' praise to make it feel worth it. Krishna says rituals done for a reward do bring the reward, and then the wanting starts again.
The takeaway
“Chasing reward can take you higher, but only for a while.”
People who perform Vedic sacrifices and seek reward pray for heaven. They gain merit, reach the heavenly realm, and enjoy its pleasures for a time.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 9.20?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga" (The Royal Knowledge).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 9.20?
Verse 20 sits in Chapter 9 of the Bhagavad Gita — Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga, "The Royal Knowledge". The chapter has 34 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 9.20 matter today?
After a big puja at home, you wait for the relatives' praise to make it feel worth it. Krishna says rituals done for a reward do bring the reward, and then the wanting starts again.
Soma-drinkers who pray for heaven do get it, and Krishna treats that as a limited bargain.
What this verse means
People who perform Vedic sacrifices and seek reward pray for heaven. They gain merit, reach the heavenly realm, and enjoy its pleasures for a time.
Context & commentary
Krishna opens a wider vision of action, reward, and the limits of ritual while Arjuna stands frozen. Here Krishna describes people who worship for heavenly gain, showing that even rewarded action remains bound to return.
What it looks like today
After a big puja at home, you wait for the relatives' praise to make it feel worth it. Krishna says rituals done for a reward do bring the reward, and then the wanting starts again.
“Chasing reward can take you higher, but only for a while.”
Explore related themes: yajna (32 verses)