Chapter 7 Verse 23
Jñāna Vijñāna Yog
अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम्। देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि।।7.23।।
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
Verily, the reward (fruit) that accrues to those men of small intelligence is finite. The worshippers of the gods go to them, whereas My devotees come to Me.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that seeking favors from lesser gods brings only limited, temporary rewards. Those who chase material gains through rituals receive fruits that end with those gains.
“People of small understanding” means those whose aim is short-term benefit rather than knowing the deeper truth. They follow actions that grant momentary comforts and thus remain bound to limited results.
By contrast, those who are true devotees seek the Supreme itself, not just its gifts. Devotion that aims at relationship and union with the Divine leads to lasting spiritual fulfilment.
Life Application
- Notice your motive: are you doing spiritual practices for short-term benefits or to deepen your inner relationship with the Divine?
- Prefer steady practices (daily prayer, honest service, sincere remembrance) that build lasting devotion instead of quick rituals for immediate gain.
- When tempted by quick rewards, remind yourself of their impermanence and refocus on values that bring inner peace.
Reflection Question
Do I pursue spiritual practices for temporary gains, or to deepen a lasting connection with the Divine?