1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute · 30 verses

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 7 · Knowledge of the Absolute

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 7.21

Desire, demigod worship and temporary fruits

Īśvara · God

यो यो यां यां तनुं भक्त: श्रद्धयार्चितुमिच्छति ।

तस्य तस्याचलां श्रद्धां तामेव विदधाम्यहम् ॥ २१ ॥

yo yo yāṁ yāṁ tanuṁ bhaktaḥ

śraddhayārcitum icchati

tasya tasyācalāṁ śraddhāṁ

tām eva vidadhāmy aham

Translation

I am in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship some demigod, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Faith and the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    As the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, Kṛṣṇa steadies a person’s faith in the demigod they wish to worship.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the Lord allows people to pursue material desires, but both worshipers and demigods depend on His will.

  3. 3

    Follow the Lord’s ultimate instruction: give up all other engagements and fully surrender to Him. This brings happiness.

Key points from the purport

However it is Krishna who supplies the faith offered by the worshipper

a

Every living entity has its own minute independence — Supreme Lord does not interfere but gives facilities

Analogy: He is like the Supreme father for all living entities

b

Why the All Powerful God gives facilities to the living entities to enjoy and fall into the trap of illusory energy

If the Supersoul does not give such facilities there is no meaning of independence

Along with the facilities he also gives the ultimate instruction as the path to real happiness – “Give up all other engagements and fully surrender unto Me”

c

Both, the living entities and the demigods are subordinate to the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and have no separate independence without the sanction of the Lord

Living entity cannot worship by his own desire

Lord inspires the particular mode of devotional attitude towards a particular demigod

Nor demigods can bestow benefit without the Supreme will

Analogy: Even a blade of grass cannot move without the will of the Lord

d

People go to demigods for different material desires (As per the Vedic literatures)

For good health – Sun god, Surya

For education – Goddess of learning, Sarasvati

For a beautiful wife – Goddess Uma, wife of Lord Shiva

Further reading

Surrender To Demigods And Impersonalism

Those who surrender to demigods and those who are impersonalists have no knowledge of Krishna and in their foolishness, do not surrender to Him

Chapter 7, section V: Surrender To Demigods And Impersonalism
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥ yaḥwhoever
  2. yām yāmwhichever
  3. tanumform of a demigod
  4. bhaktaḥdevotee
  5. śraddhayāwith faith
  6. arcitumto worship
  7. icchatidesires
  8. tasya tasyato him
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 7.21 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 7 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todayKnowing Kṛṣṇa and SurrenderingA practice from BG 7.19, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.