Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.20
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः । तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥२०॥
kāmaistaistairhṛtajñānāḥ prapadyante'nyadevatāḥ | taṃ taṃ niyamamāsthāya prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā ||20||
Complete Shloka Translation
Those whose understanding has been carried away by various desires take refuge in other deities, observing particular rules and guided by their own nature.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कामैः | kāmaiḥ | by desires |
| नियमम् | niyamam | rule or observance |
| कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः | kāmaistaistairhṛtajñānāḥ | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः | prapadyante'nyadevatāḥ | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| तं | taṃ | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| नियममास्थाय | niyamamāsthāya | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| प्रकृत्या | prakṛtyā | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| नियताः | niyatāḥ | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| स्वया | svayā | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
| २० | svayā | [term] in context of Those whose understanding has ... |
by desires
rule or observance
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
[term] in context of Those whose understanding has ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna contrasts desire-driven worship with the wise person's comprehensive refuge. The focus is motivation and spiritual aim within the dialogue, not permission to demean worshippers or religious communities.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Ask how much your seeking is shaped by the results you want."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which desired result most influences your seeking?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to look beneath external appearances in your daily life: see the underlying divine spark and interconnectedness in everyone, and seek refuge in timeless values rather than chasing fleeting superficial illusions.