In Bhagavad Gita 4.12, Krishna says that those who desire success in their actions worship the gods here, for success born of action comes quickly in the human world.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं
यजन्त इह देवताः
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके
सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥ ४-१२ ॥
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ
yajanta iha devatāḥ
kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke
siddhirbhavati karmajā
English transliteration kaankshantah karmanaam siddhim
yajanta iha devataah
kshipram hi maanushe loke
siddhirbhavati karmajaa ॥ 4.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those who desire success in their actions worship the gods here, for in the human world success born of action comes quickly.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| काङ्क्षन्तः kāṅkṣantaḥ | desiring |
| कर्मणाम् karmaṇām | of actions |
| सिद्धिम् siddhim | success |
| यजन्ते yajante | worship |
| इह iha | here |
| देवताः devatāḥ | the gods |
| क्षिप्रम् kṣipram | quickly |
| हि hi | indeed |
| मानुषे mānuṣe | in the human |
| लोके loke | world |
| सिद्धिः siddhiḥ | success |
| भवति bhavati | comes |
| कर्मजा karmajā | born of action |
Word-wise Chanting
- kāṅ–kṣan–taḥ kar–ma–ṇāṃ sid–dhiṃ 8 syllables kaan-kshan-tah kar-ma-naam sid-dhim
- ya–jan–ta i–ha de–va–tāḥ | 8 syllables ya-jan-ta i-ha de-va-taah
- kṣip–raṃ hi mā–nu–ṣe lo–ke 8 syllables kship-ram hi maa-nu-she lo-ke
- sid–dhir–bha–va–ti kar–ma–jā || 4-12 8 syllables sid-dhir-bha-va-ti kar-ma-jaa
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 4 Verse 12
Context
Krishna explains why many people seek limited, worldly rewards (following 4.11).
Meaning
Many people worship various deities or perform rituals to gain quick results in this world: health, wealth, success. Krishna acknowledges that such results do come quickly in the human realm, which is governed by action and its fruits. This is why most people are drawn to this kind of worship.
The verse does not condemn such worship but places it in perspective. Quick results are real but limited. The deeper goal of liberation is slower to appear but lasting. Wisdom lies in not stopping at worldly success, but using life’s blessings as steps toward the highest.
In Practice
Notice what you mainly ask for in prayer or wishes. Add one request for inner growth alongside the outer ones.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga (Knowledge and Renunciation of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.