Jnana Vijnana Yoga · Verse 20

Bhagavad Gita 7.20

Desire clouds judgment and sends the mind toward smaller refuges.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

कामैस्तैस्तैर्हृतज्ञानाः प्रपद्यन्तेऽन्यदेवताः ।
तं तं नियममास्थाय प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
उनउन कामनाओंसे जिनका ज्ञान अपहृत हो गया है, ऐसे वे मनुष्य अपनीअपनी प्रकृतिसे नियन्त्रित होकर देवताओंके उनउन नियमोंको धारण करते हुए उनउन देवताओंके शरण हो जाते हैं ॥
English
Driven by desire, people whose understanding has been taken away turn to other radiant beings. They follow the rules of each, shaped by their own nature.

What this verse means

When desire overwhelms clear thinking, people begin seeking help from other powers and follow whatever practices fit their own nature.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen and Krishna is tracing the roots of human confusion. After praising the rare knower who sees the supreme reality, Krishna explains the opposite case: minds captured by desire turn away and seek smaller forms of support.

Why this verse still matters

You keep refreshing your phone, hoping one more answer will calm you. In that restless state, you start handing your attention to whatever promises relief, even if it never frees you.

The takeaway

It warns that craving can quietly redirect your faith before you notice.

Word-by-word translation

कामैः (by desires) / तैः तैः (by those various) / हृत-ज्ञानाः (whose understanding is taken away) / प्रपद्यन्ते (they take refuge) / अन्य-देवताः (other radiant beings) / तम् तम् (that each) / नियमम् (rule / discipline) / आस्थाय (having taken up) / प्रकृत्या (by nature) / नियताः (governed) / स्वया (by their own)

Explore related themes: prakriti (31 verses), kama (23 verses)

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