Bhagavad Gita 9.20 meaningThe open secret
In simple wordsSo simple a child gets it
“People who do rituals for heaven do get there…”
What it means
“People who perform rituals for a place in heaven do reach it and enjoy its pleasures —
The original Sanskrit
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते । ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक- मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ॥
traividyā māṃ somapāḥ pūtapāpā yajñairiṣṭvā svargatiṃ prārthayante te puṇyamāsādya surendralokaṃ aśnanti divyāndivi devabhogān
Translations
Literal translation
Those who are versed in the Vedas, who are drinkers of Soma and are purified of sin, pray for the heavenly goal by worshipping Me through sacrifices. Having reached the place (world) of the king of gods, which is the result of righteousness, they enjoy in heaven th divine pleasure of gods.
Swami Gambhirananda
हिंदी अनुवाद
तीनों वेदों के ज्ञाता (वेदोक्त सकाम कर्म करने वाले), सोमपान करने वाले एवं पापों से पवित्र हुए पुरुष मुझे यज्ञों के द्वारा पूजकर स्वर्ग प्राप्ति चाहते हैं; वे पुरुष अपने पुण्यों के फलरूप इन्द्रलोक को प्राप्त कर स्वर्ग में दिव्य देवताओं के भोग भोगते हैं।
Swami Tejomayananda
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Commentaries
How great teachers across 1,200 years have explained this verse.
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Keep reading · 9.21— but once their good merit is used up, they return to this world. Chasing pleasures through ritual, they come and go.”