काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः। क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा।।4.12।।
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇām siddhiṁ yajanta iha devatāḥ | kṣipraṁ hi mānuṣe loke siddhir bhavati karma-jā ||4.12||
Translation
In this world, those desiring success in material activities worship the demigods, for indeed, success quickly manifests for man in this world, arising from fruitive work.
Word Meanings
kāṅkṣantaḥ — desiring; karmaṇām — of fruitive activities; siddhiṁ — perfection, success; yajanta — they worship, perform sacrifices; iha — in this material world; devatāḥ — demigods, celestial beings; kṣipraṁ — quickly, instantly; hi — certainly, indeed; mānuṣe — in human society; loke — in the world; siddhir — success, accomplishment; bhavati — comes, arises; karma-jā — born of work, fruitive action
Understanding the Verse
Verse 4.12 of the Bhagavad Gita addresses the pragmatic motivation that drives many people to worship the celestial beings. The demigods (devatāḥ) are invoked by those who are eager (kāṅkṣantaḥ) to achieve material results (siddhi). In the Vedic tradition, performing yajñas (sacrificial rites) was considered a way to please the gods and secure wealth, progeny, or power. Krishna points out that this desire for swift material accomplishment is the primary reason humans turn to external worship.
The word "kāṅkṣantaḥ" conveys a yearning that is not merely a casual wish but an intense craving for tangible outcomes. This craving is directed toward "karmaṇām" – the realm of fruitive activities, meaning actions performed with the expectation of specific results. Such actions are contrasted later in the Gita with "nishkriya" or self‑less action, but here the focus is on the worldly mindset of cause and effect.
"Siddhi" (success or perfection) is highlighted as quickly attainable (kṣipraṁ). The phrase "hi mānuṣe loke" underscores the human condition: people are impatient and wired to notice rapid gains. The verse thus reflects a psychological observation that humans often measure the efficacy of their worship by the immediacy of material benefit.
Krishna does not condemn the act of prayer itself; rather, He explains the underlying motivation. The demigods themselves, as described in the Gita, are also bound by the law of karma. They receive offerings because they, too, rely on the material sustenance offered by humans. Therefore, the worship of gods for material gain is a mutual transaction rooted in the same karmic principle that governs all beings.
The concluding part, "siddhir bhavati karma-jā," reinforces the central truth of the Gita: all success, both apparent and subtle, originates from action. Whether the action is performed for personal gain or for a higher purpose, the results are a direct consequence of the deed. This insight prepares the seeker for the later teachings that elevate action beyond selfish desire, leading to self‑realization and liberation. By first acknowledging the common motive of material longing, Krishna creates a bridge for the listener to eventually transcend it and understand the deeper, self‑less nature of true spiritual practice.
