Chapter 9, Verse 23
Raja Vidya Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
ye—those who; api—although; anya—other; devatā—celestial gods; bhaktāḥ—devotees; yajante—worship; śhraddhayā anvitāḥ—faithfully; te—they; api—also; mām—me; eva—only; kaunteya—Arjun, the son of Kunti; yajanti—worship; avidhi-pūrvakam—by the wrong method
English translation
Even those devotees who, endowed with faith, worship other gods, worship Me alone, O Arjuna, but by the wrong method.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 9.23
Commentary
They worship Me in ignorance. Their mode of worship is contrary to the ancient,rule. Hence they return to this world. People worship Agni; Indra; Surya; Varuna; the Vasus; etc. Even they attain Me; because I am everywhere. But their devotion is not pure. It is vicarious. Water should be given to the root and not to the branches. If the root is satisfied; the whole tree must be and is satisfied. Even so; if I (the root of this world and all the gods) am satisfied; all the gods must be and are satisfied. Though the messages from the five organs of knowledge reach the one consciousness; will it be right and useful to place a sweetmeat in the ear and a flower in the eyes The function of eating must be done by the mouth alone and the function of smelling by the nose alone. Therefore I should be worshipped in My own nature. They should know Me as the Self in all beings. They should recognise Me in other worship. I am the root. I am the source of all the gods and of this whole world. (Cf. IV.11VII.20)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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