Gita 04.12 – Demigod worship is quick fix in the world of religion
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ
yajanta iha devatāḥ
kṣipraṁ hi mānuṣe loke
siddhir bhavati karma-jā (Bg 4.12)
Word-for-word:
kāṅkṣantaḥ — desiring; karmaṇām — of fruitive activities; siddhim — perfection; yajante — they worship by sacrifices; iha — in the material world; devatāḥ — the demigods; kṣipram — very quickly; hi — certainly; mānuṣe — in human society; loke — within this world; siddhiḥ — success; bhavati — comes; karma-jā — from fruitive work.
Translation:
Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from fruitive work in this world.
Explanation:
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhim: Desiring success in fruitive activities,
yajante iha devatāḥ: they worship the demigods in this world,
kṣipraṁ hi mānuṣe loke: because in human society, very quickly
siddhiḥ bhavati karma-jā: success is born of action.
The words ‘karma’ and ‘siddhi’ are mentioned twice in this verse—kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ, where both appear together, and again in “siddhir bhavati karma-jā” in the fourth line. The essential point being made here is that karma is performed for fulfilling material desires. What happens when someone who has material desires (kāṅkṣantaḥ) tries to fulfill those desires by performing specific actions? The verse says, yajante iha devatāḥ—they worship the demigods (devatāḥ) in this world (iha).
Kṛṣṇa has earlier mentioned how He descends from a transcendental realm. Ajopī san avyayātmā, prakṛtiṁ svām adhiṣṭhāya (4.6) — it is stated that He is unborn, imperishable, and appears by His own internal energy. All of this emphasizes that He comes from a transcendental realm. Now, in contrast to Him who is transcendental, this verse refers to iha devatāḥ — gods within this world, known as demigods, who are the ones worshipped by people seeking material success.
The question this verse addresses arises from the previous one, where Kṛṣṇa says that as all people surrender unto Him, He rewards them accordingly. If everyone is on His path and He reciprocates with all, then why does the system of demigod worship exist? What is its purpose?
Kṛṣṇa explains that the demigods grant quick results. Why do demigods provide swift outcomes, whereas Kṛṣṇa does not?
The answer lies in the nature of reciprocation: demigods give what we want, while Kṛṣṇa gives what we need. The difference between the two is phenomenal. If a child goes to a shopkeeper with money and asks for chocolate, the shopkeeper will give it — it’s a business transaction: you give money, we give chocolate. The shopkeeper has no concern for the child’s well-being. But if the same child asks the mother for chocolate, the mother may say, “My child’s teeth may get spoiled; I’ll make some sweets at home instead.” The mother considers what is truly beneficial for the child.
For the mother to gather the ingredients and prepare the sweets may take some time. The child may think, “Why should I wait? Better to go to the shopkeeper and get the sweets immediately.” However, those sweets, though quickly obtained, are not what is best for the child. They may bring immediate satisfaction, but they are not truly beneficial.
Similarly, people approach the demigods because they seek quick results. Another example is the difference between taking a painkiller and taking proper medicine to cure the disease. The painkiller offers immediate relief but does not address the root cause, whereas the proper medicine may take longer to act but brings lasting healing.
Approaching the demigods does not truly purify one of the underlying desires — the anarthas and material attachments — that entangle a person in material existence. These deeper issues are not addressed by the demigods. In fact, obtaining the fulfilment of material desires through demigod worship often increases one’s attachment and infatuation with material enjoyment.
With Kṛṣṇa, it is not that He wants us to remain in pain. Just as a doctor does not wish to see the patient suffer, but wants to cure the patient properly, Kṛṣṇa also seeks our ultimate well-being. A doctor may give a painkiller, but more importantly, will ensure that the actual medicine is administered to address the root cause. Sometimes, if the patient is lax in taking the medicine, the doctor may withhold the painkiller, allowing the discomfort to motivate the patient to take the treatment seriously.
Similarly, Kṛṣṇa works for our long-term cure. He does not merely conceal our pain; rather, He strives to heal it at its root. That healing takes place through the redirection of our love—from matter to Kṛṣṇa, from the world to the Lord of the world. This transformation requires time, sincere application, and inner purification, but it leads to a lasting and meaningful result.
In contrast, the demigods operate more or less on the basis of a business contract: offer this worship, and in return, you will be granted that desire. It is a transactional relationship. However, with the Supreme Lord, the focus is not on transaction but on transformation. Any transaction that occurs is subordinate to the higher purpose of inner transformation.
It is not that Kṛṣṇa does not fulfill our desires. Take the example of Dhruva Mahārāja — his desire was fulfilled, but more importantly, Kṛṣṇa purified his heart. A profound transformation occurred within him, and as a result, his values changed. He realized that temporary things cannot bring lasting happiness; only the Lord and our love for Him can truly satisfy the heart. This inner transformation is what Kṛṣṇa brings about, and He does so in His own way. It is not a quick fix, as commonly understood, but a deeper process of purification and elevation.
There are many people who suffer from diseases but settle for mere pain relief, ignoring the root problem. Some even resort to heavy doses of tranquilizers to deal with anxiety — anxiety often caused by a stressful, fast-paced, and unnatural lifestyle. Rather than reorienting their lifestyle to something more balanced and healthy, they opt for a quick fix. A tranquilizer may bring temporary relief, and they may feel better momentarily, but that relief is short-lived. Soon, they find themselves needing the tranquilizer again — in stronger doses and at shorter intervals. Gradually, they become trapped in a cycle of dependency. The real problem remains unresolved, and what initially appeared to be a solution eventually makes the situation worse.
Similarly, Kṛṣṇa explains that He does not offer quick-fix solutions — and those who seek such instant results naturally turn elsewhere, to the devatās. Kṛṣṇa acknowledges that they do get results. How those results come — and how it is ultimately Kṛṣṇa who empowers the devatās to grant them — will be elaborated in Chapter 7, verses 20 to 23.
For now, it is sufficient to note that Kṛṣṇa is describing different categories of people. Everyone can approach Him, and He reciprocates accordingly. But those who seek immediate rewards turn to other gods — and ironically, their quick fix ends up keeping them fixed in material entanglement.
Thank you.
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