Bhagavad Gita 7.20 — Desire-Driven Worship of Other Deities
कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः ।
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥ ७.२० ॥
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Those whose wisdom has been carried away by various desires resort to other deities, following various rules of worship, guided by their own nature.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kāmaiḥ | by desires |
| taiḥ taiḥ | various, this and that |
| hṛita-jñānāḥ | whose wisdom has been carried away |
| prapadyante | resort to, worship |
| anya-devatāḥ | other deities |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tam tam | respective, this and that |
| niyamam | rules, rituals, observances |
| āsthāya | following, adopting |
| prakṛityā | by nature |
| niyatāḥ | governed, compelled |
| svayā | their own |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kāmaiḥ | by desires | tam tam | respective, this and that |
| taiḥ taiḥ | various, this and that | niyamam | rules, rituals, observances |
| hṛita-jñānāḥ | whose wisdom has been carried away | āsthāya | following, adopting |
| prapadyante | resort to, worship | prakṛityā | by nature |
| anya-devatāḥ | other deities | niyatāḥ | governed, compelled |
| svayā | their own | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now turns to those who worship other deities. He explains that their knowledge has been carried away by various desires, and that they follow particular rules of worship according to their own natures.
Essence
When Desire Directs Our Worship
Having described the realised devotee who sees Vāsudeva in everything, Lord Krishna now addresses a different group. These are people whose worship is driven mainly by specific wants.
Kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ (those whose wisdom has been carried away by this or that desire): The word hṛta means 'stolen'. Desire, when it becomes strong, narrows the vision. A person who is anxious about wealth, health, or status may stop thinking about the larger questions of life and focus only on whichever power seems able to grant the particular wish.
Prapadyante 'nya-devatāḥ (they take refuge in other deities): The Gita does not ridicule the worship of various deities. In the Hindu understanding, the deities are the powers that administer different aspects of the world. The concern here is the attitude. When worship is entirely tied to a particular wish, the worshipper treats the deity as a vending machine for results, and misses the One Source from whom all these powers derive.
Taṁ taṁ niyamam āsthāya (following this or that set of rules): Different desires lead to different observances, such as fasts, offerings, or rituals prescribed for specific results.
Prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā (guided by their own nature): Each person is driven by their own conditioned temperament, shaped by the guṇas and past impressions. Someone driven by ambition will worship for success, while someone driven by fear will worship for safety.
A gentle diagnosis: The verse is not a condemnation but an observation. It shows how deeply our inner tendencies shape even our spiritual life. It invites us to see how much of our prayer is really a list of requests.
Message for Everyday Life (What Is Your Prayer Really About?)
Listen to the content of your own prayers: If every prayer is a request, it may be a sign that desire is leading the way.
Practical approach: Try adding to your regular prayer a few moments of simple gratitude and silence, with no requests at all. Over time, this helps the heart relate to the Divine as a presence and not only as a provider.
When Desire Directs Our Worship
Having described the realised devotee who sees Vāsudeva in everything, Lord Krishna now addresses a different group. These are people whose worship is driven mainly by specific wants.
Kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ (those whose wisdom has been carried away by this or that desire): The word hṛta means 'stolen'. Desire, when it becomes strong, narrows the vision. A person who is anxious about wealth, health, or status may stop thinking about the larger questions of life and focus only on whichever power seems able to grant the particular wish.
Prapadyante 'nya-devatāḥ (they take refuge in other deities): The Gita does not ridicule the worship of various deities. In the Hindu understanding, the deities are the powers that administer different aspects of the world. The concern here is the attitude. When worship is entirely tied to a particular wish, the worshipper treats the deity as a vending machine for results, and misses the One Source from whom all these powers derive.
Taṁ taṁ niyamam āsthāya (following this or that set of rules): Different desires lead to different observances, such as fasts, offerings, or rituals prescribed for specific results.
Prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā (guided by their own nature): Each person is driven by their own conditioned temperament, shaped by the guṇas and past impressions. Someone driven by ambition will worship for success, while someone driven by fear will worship for safety.
A gentle diagnosis: The verse is not a condemnation but an observation. It shows how deeply our inner tendencies shape even our spiritual life. It invites us to see how much of our prayer is really a list of requests.
Message for Everyday Life (What Is Your Prayer Really About?)
Listen to the content of your own prayers: If every prayer is a request, it may be a sign that desire is leading the way.
Practical approach: Try adding to your regular prayer a few moments of simple gratitude and silence, with no requests at all. Over time, this helps the heart relate to the Divine as a presence and not only as a provider.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has explained that desires lead people to worship other deities according to their natures. A deeper question follows: who gives these worshippers the faith they have, and who grants their results? In the next verse, He reveals that it is He who steadies their faith.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Wants can bend even wisdom.
Examine not just what you do, but why.
Nature pulls like a current.
A ritual without understanding is only a habit.
Choose consciously, not compulsively.
Clear desires lead to clear actions.
Ask what you truly seek before you seek it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'hṛita-jñānāḥ' (whose wisdom has been carried away) mean?
Who are the 'anya-devatāḥ' (other deities) mentioned here?
What does 'niyamam' (rules, rituals) refer to?
What does 'prakṛityā svayā' (by one's own nature) imply?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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