🌟 Shloka 8 of 20 – You Become What You Worship

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Shloka 23 – Deep Dive
“The fruit gained by limited worship is temporary…”

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📜 Sanskrit Verse

अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम्।
देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि॥

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🔤 Transliteration

antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām
devān deva-yajo yānti mad-bhaktā yānti mām api

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🌍 English Translation

The rewards gained by those of small intelligence are temporary.
Those who worship the gods go to the gods.
But My devotees come to Me alone.

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🧭 Context in the Gita

This verse is from Chapter 7 – Jñāna–Vijñāna Yoga, where Krishna distinguishes between limited worship of deities for material gains and devotion to the Supreme for eternal union.

He honors all forms of faith — yet encourages us to go deeper, beyond temporary results, into everlasting connection with the Divine Self.

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🔍 Line-by-Line Explanation

🔹 अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषाम्

“The results they obtain are temporary…”
Worship for wealth, fame, or success gives limited joy. It may uplift momentarily but fades with time, like flowers or fame.

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🔹 तद्भवति अल्पमेधसाम्

“…that is the nature of those with limited understanding.”
Krishna isn’t mocking. He’s pointing to a spiritual immaturity — focusing on short-term gains rather than eternal truth.

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🔹 देवान् देव्यजः यान्ति

“Worshippers of gods go to the gods…”
Those who seek heavenly pleasures will attain those realms — but even those are temporary. After merit ends, they return to the cycle of rebirth.

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🔹 मद्भक्ताः यान्ति मामपि

“My devotees reach Me.”
Those who love Krishna without conditions, not for gains but for union, reach His eternal abode — the supreme goal of human life.

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🧠 Modern Life Applications

🙏 Intention in Worship

• Ask yourself: “Am I praying to gain, or to grow?”
• Let your devotion mature from transactional to transformational.

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🔄 Temporary vs Eternal Goals

• Working for job, health, family is noble — but don’t stop there.
• Also build a daily connection with the Eternal, your true nature.

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🛕 Universal Respect, Personal Depth

• Respect all paths and deities — but root your own practice in depth, not diversity for convenience. Go inward, not outward alone.

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✨ Real-Life Analogy

Imagine planting a mango tree vs buying mango juice every day.
The juice gives instant satisfaction, but fades.
The tree takes time — but gives fruit for life.

So too with devotion — shallow worship gives quick blessings, deep love gives union with the Divine.

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📿 Daily Practice Tip (Layman-Friendly)

✅ When you begin your prayer or meditation today, pause and whisper:

“I’m not here to ask — I’m here to connect.”

Try this just once daily. You’ll feel the shift from desire to devotion.

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🪔 Takeaway Affirmation

🎵 I seek not gifts that fade away,
But light that grows with every day.
Beyond the gods, beyond the plea —
I rest in truth, in love, in Thee. 🎵