The Bhagavadgita on Worship Destinations: Gods, Ancestors, and Liberation
Krishna Arjuna Samvadam - Image: Al
Summary: Commentary on Bhagavadgita Chapter 9, Verse 25 explaining how predominant thoughts determine afterlife destinations. Worshippers of divinities reach temporary divine realms, ancestor worshippers join pitrs until karma exhausts, spirit worshippers enter bhuta realm, while exclusive devotees of Supreme Lord attain immortal Brahman and never return. Emphasizes mind's role in manifesting future and importance of worshipping Supreme Lord over perishable gods.
Chapter 9 - Sloka 25
yānti devavratā devān pitrn yānti pitrvratāh
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti madyājinopi mām
Translation
yanti = achieve; deva-vratah = the worshipers of divinities; devan = to the divinities; pitrn = to ancestors; yanti = go; pitr-vratah = worshipers of the ancestors; bhutani = to spirit world; yanti = go; bhuta-ijyah = worshipers of spirits; yanti = go; mat = My; yajinah = devotees; api = only; mam = to Me
Meaning
" The worshippers of the divinities go to the divinities; the worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors; the worshippers of spirits go to the spirit world. My devotees come to Me only.
Commentary
Our minds play an important role in creating our future. What we think mostly, we become. Our predominant thoughts sow the seeds of our future and our destinies. As they are strongly etched in our consciousness due to our repetitive thinking, they become our latent impressions (samskaras) and sources of our karma and our becoming and being. Only those yogis achieve oneness or the highest self absorption (dharma mega samadhi) when they overcome the impurities of their minds and bodies, resolve the gunas and karma through exclusive devotion, and enter the pure consciousness of Brahman. Only they can burn the seeds of rebirth and the impurities of egoism, attachments, and delusion.
Previously, Lord Krishna stated that whatever people remembered at the time of death, they would go to them only. The mind has the power to manifest its most predominant thoughts and desires. Therefore, at the time of their death, people will most likely remember their beloved deities or dear ones and attain their worlds. Those who worship perishable gods go to their perishable worlds and remain in their company until the end of Kaliyuga. Those who are attached to ancestors (pitrs) and worship them or make their offerings go to them and stay there until their good karmas are exhausted. Those who are into worshipping spirits (bhutas) join them in the spirit world and return when their next birth is due. However, the knowers of Brahman, who are forever absorbed in his thoughts and devotion, attain his immortal realm and remain there forever.
Therefore, one must remember these words of Lord Krishna should worship the Supreme Lord only and refrain from worshipping gods, ancestors, spirits, demigods, local deities, nature gods, village deities, etc. Polytheism, or worshipping numerous gods, is an important aspect of popular Hinduism and is accepted as a legitimate but inferior practice. It is ideal for beginners and ignorant people to practice karma yoga so they can gradually purify themselves and divert their attention from Dharma, Artha, and Kama to Moksha. They may worship the gods through sacrifices and make offerings to them to fulfill their desires and enjoy worldly pleasure. The tradition approves the practice for worldly people as preparatory for their spiritual purification and transformation. However, those who desire liberation should purify their minds and bodies through study(svadhyaya), withdrawal of the mind and senses, detachment, discernment, renunciation (karma-sannyasa), and self-control. They should worship or meditate exclusively upon the Supreme Lord with unwavering devotion until they attain sameness or oneness