यान्ति देवव्रता देवान् पितृण्यान्ति पितृव्रताः। भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम्।।9.25।।
yanti devavrata devan pitryanti pitri vratah bhutani yanti bhutejya yanti mad yajinah api mam
Translation
Worshippers of the demigods go to the demigods; worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors; worshippers of ghosts go to ghosts; and even My devotees go to Me alone.
Word Meanings
yānti — go; deva‑vratāḥ — worshipers of demigods; devān — to the demigods; pitṝn — to the ancestors; pitṛ‑vratāḥ — worshipers of ancestors; bhūtāni — to the ghosts and spirits; bhūta‑ijyāḥ — worshipers of ghosts and spirits; mat — My; yājinaḥ — devotees; api — but; mām — unto Me
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna explains the law of karma as it pertains to the object of one’s devotion. The first clause, ‘yānti devavrataḥ devān’, declares that those who are devoted to the devas – the celestial beings associated with material pleasures, power and worldly success – will be reborn in the heavenly realms. Their minds are oriented toward the temporary, and therefore their future existence reflects that orientation.
The second statement, ‘pitṛṇyānti pitṛvratāḥ’, turns the focus to ancestors. In Hindu tradition the ancestors (pitṛs) are honored through rituals such as Śrāddha. Those who place their reverence solely on their forebears, performing rites out of duty rather than insight, will be drawn back into the ancestral world. They remain attached to the past, unable to move beyond familial ties.
The third portion, ‘bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyāḥ’, deals with the realm of spirits, ghosts, and other non‑human entities. Worship that is directed toward such forces – often out of fear, superstition, or misguided seeking of power – inevitably returns the seeker to that same sphere. The verse therefore underscores that the destination of the soul is a direct reflection of the focus of its worship.
Finally, Krishna offers the ultimate alternative: ‘mad‑yājinaḥ api mām’, meaning even those who are true devotees of the Supreme (the yogis, the self‑realized, the lovers of the Divine) ultimately come to the Lord Himself. Their devotion is not limited to any external entity; it is a surrender to the source of all existence. By aligning the heart with the Divine, they transcend the cycle of rebirth in inferior realms and merge with the absolute.
The verse serves a double purpose. On the one hand, it warns against the superficial worship of transient powers, reminding seekers that such attachments bind them to the same planes. On the other hand, it encourages sincere devotion (bhakti) to Krishna as the highest path, assuring that this devotion leads directly to communion with the Divine. In the broader philosophical context of the Gita, it illustrates the principle of “namaste” – the universe returns to the nature of its perceiver. Hence, the verse is both a cautionary statement and an invitation to the highest form of spiritual practice.
Understanding this verse helps modern readers recognize the importance of intention behind their spiritual practices. Whether one is drawn to external rituals, family duties, or mystic traditions, the ultimate outcome is shaped by the inner focus. By cultivating a love that is pure, self‑less, and directed toward the Supreme, a practitioner aligns with the path that leads beyond the cycle of birth and death, achieving the supreme goal of yoga – the oneness with the Divine.
