येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयाऽन्विताः ।
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ॥
तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुन्तीनन्दन जो भी भक्त मनुष्य श्रद्धापूर्वक अन्य देवताओंका पूजन करते हैं, वे भी करते हैं मेरा ही पूजन, पर करते है अविधिपूर्वक ॥
English
Even those who, filled with trust, worship other radiant beings, worship Me alone, but in the wrong way, O son of Kunti.
What this verse means
People who worship other radiant beings with trust are still, in a deeper sense, worshipping Krishna, but without the full understanding of how worship truly works.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna still stands frozen while Krishna explains why different forms of worship do not stand apart from the supreme reality. This verse is part of a larger teaching that all sincere worship ultimately reaches Krishna, though not always with full knowledge.
Why this verse still matters
You light a lamp before one name, pray before another, and still feel the same ache for help. The heart reaches upward; the mind only names the doorway differently.
The takeaway
Trust matters, but clear understanding keeps devotion from becoming fragmented.
Word-by-word translation
येऽपि (even those who) / अन्यदेवता-भक्ताः (devotees of other radiant beings) / यजन्ते (worship) / श्रद्धया अन्विताः (endowed with trust) / तेऽपि (they also) / माम् एव (Me alone) / कौन्तेय (O son of Kunti) / यजन्ति (worship) / अविधिपूर्वकम् (in an improper way)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga — The Royal Knowledge, which contains 34 verses.
Explore related themes: bhakti (69 verses), shraddha (34 verses)