In Bhagavad Gita 9.20, Krishna says that knowers of the three Vedas, who drink soma and are purified, worship him through sacrifices and pray for heaven; reaching the world of Indra, they enjoy divine pleasures.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा
यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते
ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक-
मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ॥ ९-२० ॥
traividyā māṃ somapāḥ pūtapāpā
yajñairiṣṭvā svargatiṃ prārthayante
te puṇyamāsādya surendraloka-
maśnanti divyāndivi devabhogān
English transliteration traividyaa maam somapaah pootapaapaa
yajnairishtvaa svargatim praarthayante
te punyamaasaadya surendraloka-
mashnanti divyaandivi devabhogaan ॥ 9.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Knowers of the three Vedas, drinkers of soma, purified of sin, worship Me through sacrifices and pray for the way to heaven. Reaching the holy world of the lord of the gods, they enjoy in heaven the divine pleasures of the gods.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| त्रैविद्याः traividyāḥ | knowers of the three Vedas |
| माम् mām | Me |
| सोमपाः somapāḥ | drinkers of soma soma (soma) + pāḥ (drinkers) |
| पूतपापाः pūtapāpāḥ | purified of sin pūta (purified) + pāpāḥ (sin) |
| यज्ञैः yajñaiḥ | through sacrifices |
| इष्ट्वा iṣṭvā | worshipping |
| स्वर्गतिम् svargatim | the way to heaven svar (heaven) + gatim (way) |
| प्रार्थयन्ते prārthayante | pray for |
| ते te | they |
| पुण्यम् puṇyam | holy |
| आसाद्य āsādya | reaching |
| सुरेन्द्रलोकम् surendralokam | the world of the lord of the gods sura (gods) + indra (lord) + lokam (world) |
| अश्नन्ति aśnanti | enjoy |
| दिव्यान् divyān | divine |
| दिवि divi | in heaven |
| देवभोगान् devabhogān | pleasures of the gods deva (gods) + bhogān (pleasures) |
Word-wise Chanting
- trai–vid–yā māṃ so–ma–pāḥ pū–ta–pā–pā 11 syllables trai-vid-yaa maam so-ma-paah poo-ta-paa-paa
- ya–jñai–riṣ–ṭvā svar–ga–tiṃ prār–tha–yan–te | 11 syllables ya-jnai-rish-tvaa svar-ga-tim praar-tha-yan-te
- te puṇ–ya–mā–sād–ya su–ren–dra–lo–ka– 11 syllables te pun-ya-maa-saad-ya su-ren-dra-lo-ka-
- maś–nan–ti div–yān–di–vi de–va–bho–gān || 9-20 11 syllables mash-nan-ti div-yaan-di-vi de-va-bho-gaan
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 9 Verse 20
Context
Krishna contrasts ritual worship for heaven with devotion (9.20–9.22).
Meaning
Those learned in the three Vedas perform rituals, purify themselves and seek svarga, heaven. Through their merit they reach the world of Indra and enjoy divine pleasures. Their worship is genuine and their reward real, but it is a reward within creation.
Krishna does not mock these seekers. He shows that their aim, enjoyment in heaven, is limited. The next verse reveals its temporary nature.
In Practice
Notice whether your spiritual practice is aimed at rewards. Gently lift your aim toward the Divine itself.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (The Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret). 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.