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Chapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute · 30 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute
7.227.24

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.23

Desire, demigod worship and temporary fruits

अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भ‍वत्यल्पमेधसाम् ।

देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भ‍क्ता यान्ति मामपि ॥ २३ ॥

antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ

tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām

devān deva-yajo yānti

mad-bhaktā yānti mām api

Translation

Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Different Worship, Different Destinations

  1. 1Demigod worship gives limited, temporary results and leads to their planets. The Supreme Lord’s devotees reach His supreme planet.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that demigods are parts of the Supreme Lord, not separate rivals. Worshiping them does not lead to the same destination as devotion to Him.
  3. 3Serve the Supreme Lord with pure devotion rather than seek temporary rewards. His pure devotees attain eternal, blissful life full of knowledge.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 7, Knowledge of the Absolute: desire, demigod worship and temporary fruits.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 7.23 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 7 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 7.20Desire, demigod worship and temporary fruitsBG 7.21Desire, demigod worship and temporary fruits

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 7.23 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.