BHAGAVAD-GITA 9:24

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 9:24

 

aham hi sarva-yajnanam

bhokta ca prabhur eva ca

na tu mam abhijananti

tattvenatas cyavanti te

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

aham--I; hi--surely; sarva--of all; yajnanam--sacrifices; bhokta--the

enjoyer; ca--and; prabhuh--the Lord; eva--also; ca--and; na--not;

tu--but; mam--Me; abhijananti--they know; tattvena--in reality;

atah--therefore; cyavanti--fall down; te--they.

 

TRANSLATION

 

I am the only enjoyer and master of all sacrifices. Therefore, those

who do not recognize My true transcendental nature fall down.

 

PURPORT

 

Here it is clearly stated that there are many types of yajna

performances recommended in the Vedic literatures, but actually all of

them are meant for satisfying the Supreme Lord. Yajna means Visnu. In

the Third Chapter of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that one

should only work for satisfying Yajna, or Visnu. The perfectional form

of human civilization, known as varnasrama-dharma, is specifically

meant for satisfying Visnu. Therefore, Krsna says in this verse, "I am

the enjoyer of all sacrifices because I am the supreme master." Less

intelligent persons, however, without knowing this fact, worship

demigods for temporary benefit. Therefore they fall down to material

existence and do not achieve the desired goal of life. If, however,

anyone has any material desire to be fulfilled, he had better pray for

it to the Supreme Lord (although that is not pure devotion), and he

will thus achieve the desired result.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.