In Bhagavad Gita 7.20, Krishna says that those whose knowledge is carried away by various desires worship other deities, following various rites, according to their own nature.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः
प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः
तं तं नियममास्थाय
प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥ ७-२० ॥
kāmaistaistairhṛtajñānāḥ
prapadyante’nyadevatāḥ
taṃ taṃ niyamamāsthāya
prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā
English transliteration kaamaistaistairhritajnaanaah
prapadyante’nyadevataah
tam tam niyamamaasthaaya
prakrityaa niyataah svayaa ॥ 7.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those whose knowledge has been carried away by various desires take refuge in other deities, following various observances, led by their own nature.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कामैः kāmaiḥ | by desires |
| तैः तैः taiḥ taiḥ | by various |
| हृतज्ञानाः hṛtajñānāḥ | whose knowledge is carried away hṛta (carried away) + jñānāḥ (knowledge) |
| प्रपद्यन्ते prapadyante | take refuge |
| अन्यदेवताः anyadevatāḥ | other deities anya (other) + devatāḥ (deities) |
| तम् तम् tam tam | various |
| नियमम् niyamam | observances |
| आस्थाय āsthāya | following |
| प्रकृत्या prakṛtyā | by nature |
| नियताः niyatāḥ | led |
| स्वया svayā | their own |
Word-wise Chanting
- kā–mais–tais–tair–hṛ–ta–jñā–nāḥ 8 syllables kaa-mais-tais-tair-hri-ta-jnaa-naah
- pra–pad–yan–te–‘nya–de–va–tāḥ | 8 syllables pra-pad-yan-te-‘nya-de-va-taah
- taṃ taṃ ni–ya–ma–mās–thā–ya 8 syllables tam tam ni-ya-ma-maas-thaa-ya
- pra–kṛt–yā ni–ya–tāḥ sva–yā || 7-20 8 syllables pra-krit-yaa ni-ya-taah sva-yaa
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 7 Verse 20
Context
Krishna explains the worship of other deities (7.20–7.23).
Meaning
People whose understanding is clouded by particular desires turn to various devatās, gods who rule specific domains, to obtain particular results. They follow the observances suited to these deities, prompted by their own prakṛti, temperament. Their worship is genuine but limited by desire.
The Gita does not condemn such worship but explains it. People approach the Divine through the forms and practices that suit their nature and needs. The next verses show that even this worship is ultimately supported by the one Divine.
In Practice
Notice the desires behind your prayers or rituals. Hold them gently, and remember the one Divine behind all forms.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). 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.