In Bhagavad Gita 9.25, Krishna says worshippers of gods go to the gods, worshippers of ancestors go to the ancestors, worshippers of spirits go to the spirits, and his worshippers come to him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्
पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः
भूतानि यान्ति भूतेज्या
यान्ति मद्याजिनोऽपि माम् ॥ ९-२५ ॥
yānti devavratā devān
pitṝnyānti pitṛvratāḥ
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā
yānti madyājino’pi mām
English transliteration yaanti devavrataa devaan
pitreenyaanti pitrivrataah
bhootaani yaanti bhootejyaa
yaanti madyaajino’pi maam ॥ 9.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those devoted to the gods go to the gods; those devoted to the ancestors go to the ancestors; those who worship spirits go to the spirits; and those who worship Me come to Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यान्ति yānti | go |
| देवव्रताः devavratāḥ | those devoted to the gods deva (gods) + vratāḥ (devoted) |
| देवान् devān | to the gods |
| पितॄन् pitṝn | to the ancestors |
| यान्ति yānti | go |
| पितृव्रताः pitṛvratāḥ | those devoted to the ancestors pitṛ (ancestors) + vratāḥ (devoted) |
| भूतानि bhūtāni | to the spirits |
| यान्ति yānti | go |
| भूतेज्याः bhūtejyāḥ | worshippers of spirits bhūta (spirits) + ijyāḥ (worshippers) |
| यान्ति yānti | go |
| मद्याजिनः madyājinaḥ | My worshippers mat (Me) + yājinaḥ (worshippers) |
| अपि api | indeed |
| माम् mām | to Me |
Word-wise Chanting
- yān–ti de–vav–ra–tā de–vān– 8 syllables yaan-ti de-vav-ra-taa de-vaan-
- pi–tṝn–yān–ti pi–tṛv–ra–tāḥ | 8 syllables pi-treen-yaan-ti pi-triv-ra-taah
- bhū–tā–ni yān–ti bhū–tej–yā 8 syllables bhoo-taa-ni yaan-ti bhoo-tej-yaa
- yān–ti mad–yā–ji–no–‘pi mām || 9-25 8 syllables yaan-ti mad-yaa-ji-no-‘pi maam
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 25
Context
Krishna concludes the comparison of forms of worship (9.23–9.25).
Meaning
The principle is simple: we go where our devotion is directed. Worshippers of gods reach the gods, of ancestors reach the ancestors, of spirits reach the spirits. Those who worship the Supreme reach the Supreme. Our aim determines our destination.
The verse invites us to examine what we truly worship. Wealth, fame or pleasure can also become objects of devotion, and we become like what we worship.
In Practice
Ask honestly: what do I give most of my attention and devotion to? Let that answer guide your choices.
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.