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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 23 Meaning in Hindi & English

By Lakshay Sharma | On 30 June, 2026 | Views

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 23 continues Lord Krishna's teaching about worship, faith, and the results of devotion. In the previous verse, Krishna explained that although people receive the fruits of their worship, those blessings ultimately come from Him alone.

Now, Krishna reveals an important distinction between temporary material rewards and eternal spiritual attainment. He explains that those who worship various deities with material desires obtain the results they seek, but those rewards are temporary. In contrast, those who worship the Supreme Lord with pure devotion attain Him, the eternal and imperishable reality.

This verse encourages us to look beyond temporary achievements and seek the everlasting joy that comes from realizing God.

Bhagavad Gita 7.23 – Temporary Rewards vs. Eternal Attainment

Lord Krishna explains:

Worship motivated by material desires produces temporary results.
Material achievements eventually fade with time.
Different deities grant limited worldly benefits according to God's arrangement.
Devotion to the Supreme Lord leads to eternal spiritual fulfillment.
The highest goal of life is not temporary success but union with God.

The essence of this verse is that temporary rewards satisfy worldly desires for a time, but devotion to Krishna leads to everlasting peace and liberation.

Bhagavad Gita 7.23 – Sanskrit Shlok & Transliteration

Sanskrit Shlok

अन्तवत्तु फलं तेषां तद्भवत्यल्पमेधसाम् । देवान्देवयजो यान्ति मद्भक्ता यान्ति मामपि ॥ २३ ॥

Shlok in Hinglish

Antavat Tu Phalam Tesham Tad Bhavaty Alpa-Medhasam Devan Deva-Yajo Yanti Mad-Bhakta Yanti Mam Api

English Transliteration

antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām devān deva-yajo yānti mad-bhaktā yānti mām api

Word-by-Word Meaning (शब्दार्थ)

Sanskrit Word	Hindi Meaning	English Meaning
अन्तवत् (Antavat)	नाशवान	Temporary
तु (Tu)	लेकिन	But
फलम् (Phalam)	फल	Result
तेषाम् (Tesham)	उनका	Their
तत् (Tat)	वह	That
भवति (Bhavati)	होता है	Becomes
अल्पमेधसाम् (Alpa-Medhasam)	अल्प बुद्धि वालों का	Of those with limited understanding
देवान् (Devan)	देवताओं के लोक	The celestial deities
देवयजः (Deva-Yajah)	देवताओं की पूजा करने वाले	Worshippers of the deities
यान्ति (Yanti)	जाते हैं	Go
मद्भक्ताः (Mad-Bhaktah)	मेरे भक्त	My devotees
यान्ति (Yanti)	प्राप्त करते हैं	Attain
माम् (Mam)	मुझे	Me
अपि (Api)	भी	Indeed

Verse Meaning (अनुवाद)

Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अनुवाद)

देवताओं की पूजा करने वालों को मिलने वाले फल नश्वर होते हैं, क्योंकि वे सीमित बुद्धि वाले होते हैं। देवताओं के उपासक उनके लोक को प्राप्त होते हैं, जबकि मेरे भक्त अंततः मुझे प्राप्त करते हैं।

English Meaning

The rewards obtained by those who worship various deities are temporary and limited. Such worshippers attain the realms of those deities, but My devotees ultimately attain Me, the eternal Supreme Lord.

Deep Insights & Philosophical Context

1. Temporary Results Have Limited Value

Krishna begins by saying:

"Antavat Tu Phalam Tesham."

"The fruits they receive are temporary."

Every material achievement has a beginning and an end.

Examples include:

Wealth.
Fame.
Power.
Physical beauty.
Social status.

These blessings may bring happiness for a time, but they cannot provide permanent fulfillment.

2. What Does "Alpa-Medhasam" Mean?

The phrase Alpa-Medhasam literally means "those of limited understanding."

Krishna is not insulting anyone.

Instead, He points out that people who seek only temporary pleasures often overlook life's highest purpose.

Limited understanding means focusing only on short-term gains while ignoring eternal spiritual happiness.

3. Different Destinations Based on Devotion

Krishna explains:

"Devan Deva-Yajo Yanti."

Those who worship different deities attain the corresponding heavenly realms and receive the results associated with that worship.

However, these heavenly experiences are also temporary.

When the accumulated spiritual merit is exhausted, the soul returns to the cycle of birth and death.

4. The Greatest Attainment

Krishna then declares:

"Mad-Bhakta Yanti Mam Api."

"My devotees attain Me."

This is the highest promise.

Unlike temporary material rewards, attaining Krishna means:

Eternal peace.
Spiritual freedom.
Loving relationship with God.
Liberation from repeated birth and death.

This is the ultimate destination described throughout the Bhagavad Gita.

5. Choosing Between Temporary and Eternal

Life constantly presents us with choices.

We may pursue:

Temporary pleasures.
Eternal fulfillment.

Krishna encourages us to think beyond immediate gratification and consider what truly lasts.

The wise invest in spiritual growth because it benefits the soul forever.

6. Devotion Leads Beyond Material Existence

Material success is not condemned.

The Bhagavad Gita simply reminds us that material achievements alone cannot satisfy the soul.

When devotion becomes centered on the Supreme Lord, the soul experiences lasting joy that is independent of changing circumstances.

Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita 7.23

1. Think Beyond Temporary Success

Everything material eventually changes.

Modern Takeaway:

Balance career goals with spiritual development.

2. Invest in What Lasts

Character, wisdom, and devotion remain valuable throughout life.

Modern Takeaway:

Spend time nurturing your inner growth.

3. Choose Eternal Values

Temporary pleasures fade.

Modern Takeaway:

Seek peace, compassion, humility, and love for God.

4. Make Krishna Your Highest Goal

Material success has value, but God is life's ultimate destination.

Modern Takeaway:

Let every achievement strengthen your gratitude rather than your ego.

Modern-Day Relevance

Today's world often measures success through:

Income.
Social status.
Possessions.
Popularity.
Professional achievements.

While these accomplishments are meaningful, Krishna reminds us that they cannot provide lasting fulfillment by themselves.

True happiness comes when outward success is supported by:

Inner peace.
Spiritual wisdom.
Devotion.
Gratitude.
Love for God.

Only then does life become truly complete.

Practical Example

Imagine building a beautiful sandcastle on the beach.

It may look impressive for a while.

But eventually, the tide washes it away.

Now imagine planting a strong tree.

Though it grows slowly, it provides shade, fruit, and beauty for many years.

Material achievements often resemble the sandcastle.

Spiritual devotion resembles the growing tree that continues to nourish the soul forever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 7.23?

Ans: Krishna teaches that material rewards gained through desire-driven worship are temporary, whereas devotion to the Supreme Lord leads to eternal spiritual realization.

Q.2 What does "Antavat Phalam" mean?

Ans: It means that the fruits of material desires are temporary and eventually come to an end.

Q.3 Why does Krishna call some people "Alpa-Medhasam"?

Ans: He refers to those who focus only on temporary gains instead of seeking the eternal happiness found in God-realization.

Q.4 What happens to devotees of different deities?

Ans: They attain the respective heavenly realms associated with their worship, but those destinations are temporary.

Q.5 What do Krishna's devotees attain?

Ans: Krishna's devotees ultimately attain Him, which represents eternal peace, liberation, and loving union with the Supreme.

Practical Applications of Bhagavad Gita 7.23

Reflect on Your Goals

Ask whether your efforts focus only on temporary success or also on lasting spiritual growth.

Practice Daily Devotion

Spend time in prayer, meditation, or reading the Bhagavad Gita.

Build Inner Wealth

Cultivate wisdom, kindness, humility, and compassion.

Remember What Truly Lasts

Material achievements are valuable, but spiritual realization is eternal.

Ask Yourself

Am I investing only in temporary success?
What values will remain with me throughout life?
How can I strengthen my relationship with Krishna?
What step can I take today toward lasting spiritual fulfillment?

Related Verses to Explore Next

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 22 – Krishna grants the fruits of worship.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 24 – Misunderstanding Krishna's eternal nature.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Verse 22 – Krishna protects those devoted to Him.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10 Verse 8 – Krishna is the source of all creation.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 66 – The ultimate teaching of surrender.

Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 23 teaches one of the most important distinctions in spiritual life: the difference between temporary rewards and eternal realization. Lord Krishna lovingly explains that while material blessings have their place, they are limited by time. In contrast, devotion to the Supreme Lord leads to everlasting peace, liberation, and the highest fulfillment.

This verse invites us to expand our vision beyond temporary achievements and invest in the eternal wealth of devotion, wisdom, and love for God. When Krishna becomes the ultimate goal of life, every other success finds its proper place.

The timeless lesson of this verse is:

"Temporary rewards satisfy the body for a while, but devotion to Krishna fulfills the soul forever."

Harishyam Arts

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Lakshay Sharma

I’m Lakshay Sharma, a writer with a deep passion for Hindu mythology, Vastu Shastra, and home interiors. I enjoy exploring the rich traditions of Hindu gods and goddesses, sharing insights into Vastu principles, and offering guidance on creating sacred spaces like Puja Mandirs. Through my writing, I aim to inspire harmony and spiritual well-being, blending traditional knowledge with modern perspectives.

Harishyam Arts | Jaipur

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