Chapter 7, Verse 23 (Bhagavad Gita 7.23)
Chapter 7: Jñāna Vijñāna Yog – Self-Knowledge and Enlightenment
Sanskrit Shloka
अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम्। देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि
Transliteration
antavat tu phalaṁ teṣhāṁ tad bhavatyalpa-medhasām devān deva-yajo yānti mad-bhaktā yānti mām api
Word Meanings
anta-vat—perishable; tu—but; phalam—fruit; teṣhām—by them; tat—that; bhavati—is; alpa-medhasām—people of small understanding; devān—to the celestial gods; deva-yajaḥ—the worshipers of the celestial gods; yānti—go; mat—my; bhaktāḥ—devotees; yānti—go; mām—to me; api—whereas
Translation
But the fruits gained by those of small intelligence are limited and temporary. Those who worship the celestial gods reach them, but My devotees reach Me alone.
Meaning & Commentary
In this verse, Lord Krishna explains the distinction between transient desires and the eternal goal. By seeking temporary rewards through lesser deities, one remains bound by the cycle of limited gratification, as these fruits must eventually perish. Lord Krishna teaches that when one centers their devotion exclusively upon Him, they transcend the limitations of worldly existence. This transformation shifts the seeker’s perspective from finite material gains to the infinite nature of the Supreme. Ultimately, Lord Krishna invites the soul to seek the everlasting union with Him, which is the only path to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.