Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 9 Raja Vidya Yogah

Raja Vidya Yogah - Those who are versed in the three Vedas and drink the soma juice, seeking heaven, worship Me by yajna and purify themselves of sin. They, attaining the holy world of the Lord of the gods, enjoy the celestial pleasures of the gods in heaven.

त्रैविद्या मां सोमपा: पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते |
ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोकमश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ||20||

Those who are versed in the three Vedas and drink the soma juice, seeking heaven, worship Me by yajna and purify themselves of sin. They, attaining the holy world of the Lord of the gods, enjoy the celestial pleasures of the gods in heaven.

Traividya: Knower of the three Vedas.
Somapah: Drinkers of soma juice.
Surendra: King of the gods.

This verse describes how those devoted to rituals and seeking celestial pleasures may attain heaven. However, it subtly introduces the impermanence of such rewards, setting up the contrast with eternal devotion to Krishna.

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Raja Vidya Yogah - When their merit is exhausted, they return to the mortal world. Thus, those who follow the rituals described in the three Vedas, desiring enjoyment, go and come again.

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति |
एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ||21||

When their merit is exhausted, they return to the mortal world. Thus, those who follow the rituals described in the three Vedas, desiring enjoyment, go and come again.

Vishalam: Extensive or vast.
Martya-lokam: Mortal world.
Kama-kama: Desirous of sense gratification.

Krishna reveals the temporary nature of heavenly pleasures, urging Arjuna to seek lasting spiritual fulfillment. This commentary challenges Arjuna to transcend desires tied to the material and celestial realms.

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अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जना: पर्युपासते |
तेषां नित्याभियुक्तानां योगक्षेमं वहाम्यहम् ||22||

To those who meditate on Me alone, thinking of no other, to those ever steadfast, I carry what they lack and preserve what they have.

Yoga-kshema: Provision and preservation.
Abhiyuktanam: Of the steadfast.
Paryupasate: Worship or adore.

Devotion backed by complete surrender leads Krishna to ensure the devotee’s well-being. This verse deepens the discussion on divine reciprocity, where the divine takes responsibility for those steadfast in their faith.

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येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विता: |
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ||23||

Even those who are devoted to other deities with faith, worship Me alone, O Kaunteya, but by the wrong method.

Shraddhayanvitah: Endowed with faith.
Avidhi: Improper or wrong method.
Devatabhakta: Devotees of deities.

Krishna acknowledges that devotion to other deities indirectly reaches Him but cautions against improper worship. This verse emphasizes the importance of understanding spiritual practices within their proper context.

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अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च |
न तु मामभिजानन्ति तत्त्वेनातश्च्यवन्ति ते ||24||

I am indeed the enjoyer and the lord of all sacrifices. But they do not know Me in essence; hence they fall.

Tattvena: In essence or truth.
Bhokta: Enjoyer of sacrifices.
Chyavanti: They fall or perish.

Krishna laments the ignorance of His supreme nature, which leads to incomplete worship. By addressing this gap, He calls for devotion rooted in knowledge and truth, ensuring alignment with the ultimate goal.

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Raja Vidya Yogah - Worshippers of the gods go to the gods, worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors, worshippers of the spirits go to the spirits, but those who worship Me come to Me.

यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रता: |
भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ||25||

Worshippers of the gods go to the gods, worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors, worshippers of the spirits go to the spirits, but those who worship Me come to Me.

Devavrata: Devotees of gods.
Pitruvrata: Devotees of ancestors.
Bhutejya: Worshippers of spirits.

This verse highlights the consequences of one’s focus in worship, tying destinations to the objects of devotion. Krishna positions Himself as the supreme goal, contrasting other paths as temporary and limited.

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पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: ||26||

Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I accept that loving offering of the pure-hearted.

Patram: Leaf.
Pushpam: Flower.
Prayatmanah: Of the pure-hearted.

Krishna’s simplicity and accessibility shine here. Even a humble offering made with devotion is accepted, emphasizing the importance of the heart’s intent over material wealth in worship.

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