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Chapter 7 • Verse 20
The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna describes those who worship other gods instead of Him. 'Kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ'—those whose knowledge has been carried away by material desires. 'Prapadyante 'nya-devataḥ'—they surrender to other gods. 'Taṁ taṁ niyamam āsthāya prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā'—following their own nature, they worship the deities. This verse explains why people worship other gods—their knowledge is stolen by material desires, so they seek material benefits from lesser deities. They're bound by their own nature, following material desires rather than seeking the Supreme. This connects to verse 7.15's teaching about those whose knowledge is stolen and prepares for verses 7.21-7.22 where Krishna will describe how He grants their desires.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
You see people worshipping various deities, seeking material benefits—wealth, success, comfort. You think: 'Why do they worship other gods? Is this valid?' This verse addresses that question. Krishna says: those whose knowledge has been carried away by material desires surrender to other gods. They're bound by their own nature, following material desires rather than seeking the Supreme. Understanding this helps you see why people worship other gods—their knowledge is stolen by material desires, so they seek material benefits from lesser sources.
Personal Reflection
Do you see people worshipping other gods for material desires? Do you recognize when your own knowledge is stolen by material desires, leading you to seek lesser sources?
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