Verse 4.12
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः। क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा।।
Transliteration (IAST)
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ yajanta iha devatāḥ kṣipraṁ hi mānuṣe loke siddhir bhavati karmajā
Word-by-Word Meanings
kāṅkṣantaḥ-desiring
siddhim-success/perfection
yajante-they worship
devatāḥ-the demigods
kṣipram-quickly
karmajā-born of action
Translation
Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, are results born of fruitive work in this human world.
Commentary
Krishna acknowledges that most people seek material results and worship accordingly. The worship of devatās yields quick material results, but these are temporary. This verse contrasts the path of immediate gratification with the slower but permanent fruits of spiritual knowledge.
Themes
karmadharmayoga