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What We Worship, We Become

In Gita 7.20-23 and 9.20-25 the Lord says he steadies the faith of those who worship other deities and arranges what they receive, but that the result is perishable. You reach what you worship.

In brief

  • The Lord steadies the faith of anyone who worships a deity with faith, and what they receive is his arrangement (7.21, 7.22).
  • Such a result is perishable; even the pleasures of heaven end when merit is spent (7.23, 9.21).
  • Worship of other deities reaches the Lord too, but without right understanding; he alone is the enjoyer and master of every sacrifice (9.23, 9.24).
  • The rule is plain: worshippers of the gods reach the gods, and his devotees reach him (9.25).

Is it wrong to ask a deity for something? Does the Gita say that worship of anyone but the Lord is wasted? In these verses of the seventh and ninth chapters the Gita answers, and the answer is not a scolding.

The Lord says that when someone wishes to worship a form with faith, he makes that faith steady, and that what the worshipper receives is his own arrangement (Gita 7.21, Gita 7.22). But such a result is perishable, and even the pleasures of heaven end when merit is spent (Gita 7.23, Gita 9.21). Worship of other deities reaches him too, though without right understanding (Gita 9.23). So the rule is that you reach what you turn towards (Gita 9.25).

This topic is the fourth stop on The Path of Devotion. Before it comes Four Kinds of Devotees, where even the person who comes with a wish is called good. After it comes the Lord's care for those who stay turned to him alone.

The topic can be read in three ways. A simple reading starts from an everyday question. A detailed reading takes the verses in order. A deeper reading raises the hard questions, answers them, and sets out the commentators' streams.

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Same topic, three depths. Pick the one that fits you today; you can switch any time.

Start with Simple →

Simple New to this topic. Plain words, one idea at a time. Is It Wrong to Ask God for Things? What the Gita Says The Lord steadies the faith of anyone who worships a deity with faith; the Gita does not scold the one who asks (7.21). 4 min · Read → In Depth Know the basics. Verse by verse, with reasons. Worshipping Other Deities and Reaching the Lord: Gita 7.20-23 and 9.20-25 Verse by Verse The Lord steadies the faith of anyone who worships a deity with faith; the Gita does not scold them (7.20, 7.21). 10 min · Read → Deeper Want the text itself: Sanskrit terms, commentary, close reading. Gita 7.20-23 and 9.20-25: Worship of Other Deities and What It Brings, a Close Reading The Lord steadies the faith of anyone who worships a deity, and says that what the worshipper receives is his own arrangement (7.21, 7.22). 13 min · Read → Quick summary Short on time. The whole topic in a few minutes. What We Worship, We Become: Quick Summary The Lord steadies the faith of one who worships another god with faith, and the arranging of the fruit is His (7.21, 7.22). 10 min · Read →

Key shlokas

Concepts

Common misreadings

  • The Gita says worship of other gods is useless or false

Part of these learning paths

Related topics