(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Those With Higher Intelligence Worship The Source Of All Powers, Which Is God Himself

येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विता: |
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् || 9.23||

ye ’pyanya-devatā-bhaktā yajante śhraddhayānvitāḥ
te ’pi mām eva kaunteya yajantyavidhi-pūrvakam|| 9.23||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 9- Ver. 23:

Even those who faithfully worship other gods, O son of Kunti, worship Me as well. They do so, however, in an ineffective manner.

Explanation

After describing the situation of those who worship the Supreme Lord, Shree Krishna now reveals the situation of those who worship lower gods for the sake of financial gain. They have faith as well, and their supplications may be granted by the celestial gods, but their understanding is limited. They are unaware that the celestial beings obtain their powers directly from God. As a result, people indirectly worship the Supreme Divine Personality.

The Supreme Lord is the source of all the celestial gods’ abilities. Those with higher intelligence worship the source of all powers, which is God Himself, in this way. The worship of the Supreme Lord naturally satisfies all of creation.
The trunk, branches, twigs, leaves, and blooms of a tree are all nourished when the root is watered. Food naturally nourishes the vital airs and senses when we put it in our mouth. Similarly, by worshipping the Supreme Lord, all of His parts, including the devats, are worshipped as well. Although the devotion of the celestial gods reaches the Supreme Lord, such devotees do not receive spiritual blessings.

Verse & what we can learn

Even if we worship a finite deity at home or in a temple, we must never believe that we are only worshipping that finite deity. If we consider in this way, our worship will be incomplete, with a fault. It’s realizing that we’re worshipping Ishvara in all of his limitless glory. When we worship a finite deity, we are contacting the infinite Ishvara. Because Ishvara is the foundation of everything, all prayers eventually reach Ishvara.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the next verse Shri Krishna tells Arjuna Why do most devotees commit this error?

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…