ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालंक्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति ।
एव त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्नागतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ॥
एव त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्नागतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
वे उस विशाल स्वर्गलोकके भोगोंको भोगकर पुण्य क्षीण होनेपर मृत्युलोकमें आ जाते हैं । इस प्रकार तीनों वेदोंमें कहे हुए सकाम धर्मका आश्रय लिये हुए भोगोंकी कामना करनेवाले मनुष्य आवागमनको प्राप्त होते हैं ॥
English
After enjoying the vast heaven-world, they return to the mortal world when their merit is exhausted. Thus, those who follow the ritual path of the three Vedas and seek pleasures gain repeated coming and going.
What this verse means
People who seek heavenly rewards through ritual enjoy those rewards for a while, but when their merit is used up, they return to ordinary life and the cycle continues.
Context & commentary
On the Kurukshetra field, Krishna is exposing the limits of reward-seeking religion. After describing ritualists who aim for heaven, he says even that highest pleasure is temporary: merit fades, the reward ends, and the seeker returns to mortal life.
Why this verse still matters
You finally get the promotion, the applause, the bonus trip — and by Monday the hunger is back. Krishna points to the exhaustion behind every reward that depends on accumulation.
The takeaway
Short-lived rewards feel satisfying, but they do not end restlessness.
Word-by-word translation
ते (they) / तम् (that) / भुक्त्वा (having enjoyed) / स्वर्गलोकम् (heaven-world) / विशालम् (vast) / क्षीणे (having become exhausted) / पुण्ये (merit) / मर्त्यलोकम् (mortal world) / विशन्ति (enter) / एवम् (thus) / त्रयीधर्मम् (the three-Veda ritual dharma) / अनुप्रपन्नाः (having resorted to) / गतागतम् (coming and going) / कामकामा (desiring pleasures) / लभन्ते (obtain)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga — The Royal Knowledge, which contains 34 verses.
Explore related themes: kama (23 verses)