In Bhagavad Gita 9.23, Krishna says that devotees of other gods who worship with faith also worship him, though not in the prescribed way.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता
यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय
यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ॥ ९-२३ ॥
ye’pyanyadevatā bhaktā
yajante śraddhayānvitāḥ
te’pi māmeva kaunteya
yajantyavidhipūrvakam
English transliteration ye’pyanyadevataa bhaktaa
yajante shraddhayaanvitaah
te’pi maameva kaunteya
yajantyavidhipoorvakam ॥ 9.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Even those devotees who worship other gods with faith also worship Me alone, O son of Kunti, though not according to the true method.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ये ye | who |
| अपि api | even |
| अन्यदेवताः anyadevatāḥ | other gods anya (other) + devatāḥ (gods) |
| भक्ताः bhaktāḥ | devotees |
| यजन्ते yajante | worship |
| श्रद्धया śraddhayā | with faith |
| अन्विताः anvitāḥ | endowed |
| ते te | they |
| अपि api | also |
| माम् mām | Me |
| एव eva | alone |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| यजन्ति yajanti | worship |
| अविधिपूर्वकम् avidhipūrvakam | not according to the true method a (not) + vidhi (method) + pūrvakam (according to) |
Word-wise Chanting
- ye–‘pyan–ya–de–va–tā bhak–tā 8 syllables ye-‘pyan-ya-de-va-taa bhak-taa
- ya–jan–te śrad–dha–yān–vi–tāḥ | 8 syllables ya-jan-te shrad-dha-yaan-vi-taah
- te–‘pi mā–me–va kaun–te–ya 8 syllables te-‘pi maa-me-va kaun-te-ya
- ya–jan–tya–vi–dhi–pūr–va–kam || 9-23 8 syllables ya-jan-tya-vi-dhi-poor-va-kam
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 23
Context
Krishna explains how other forms of worship relate to him (9.23–9.25).
Meaning
All sincere worship ultimately reaches the one Divine. Those who worship other deities with śraddhā, faith, are in fact worshipping the Supreme, though avidhi-pūrvakam, without recognising whom they truly worship. Their limitation is in understanding, not in sincerity.
This verse expresses a remarkable openness. All faith, in whatever form, flows toward the one Divine. Understanding this frees us from religious arrogance.
In Practice
Honour the sincerity of someone whose way of worship differs from yours.
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.