Chapter 9 · Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga - The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal SecretKrishna
Verse 23
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 9, श्लोक 23
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
येऽप्यन्यदेवताभक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः।
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम्॥२३॥
Transliteration
Ye'py-Anya-Devata-Bhakta Yajante Shraddhaya-Anvitah.
Te'pi Mam-Eva Kaunteya Yajanty-Avidhi-Purvakam.||23||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
येyethose who
अपिapieven
अन्यदेवताभक्ताःanya-devata-bhaktahdevotees of other gods
यजन्तेyajanteworship
श्रद्धयाshraddhayawith faith
अन्विताःanvitahendowed with
तेtethey
अपिapialso
माम्mamMe
एवevaalone
कौन्तेयkaunteyaO son of Kunti
यजन्तिyajantiworship
अविधिपूर्वकम्avidhi-purvakamin an improper/indirect way
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे कौन्तेय! जो लोग श्रद्धापूर्वक अन्य देवताओं की भक्ति करते हैं, वे भी मेरी ही पूजा करते हैं — परन्तु अविधिपूर्वक (उचित विधि से नहीं)।
English Translation
O son of Kunti, even those who are devoted to other gods and worship them with faith — they too are worshipping Me alone, though in an indirect and improper manner.
Commentary (टीका)
This verse reveals the inclusive nature of the Divine — all sincere worship ultimately reaches the Supreme, since all deities are manifestations of the one God. However, 'avidhi-purvakam' (not in the proper manner) indicates that worshipping a limited form without recognizing the Supreme behind it limits the fruits of that worship. Recognition of the ultimate source amplifies devotion.