स तया श्रद्धया युक्तस्तस्याराधनमीहते | लभते च तत: कामान्मयैव विहितान्हि तान् || 22 || |
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“Endowed with that faith, devotees engage in the worship of the chosen deity, and by My grace, attain the desired results.”
Commentary: Lord Krishna further elaborates on the significance of faith and devotion in the worship of a chosen deity. He states that when devotees are imbued with unwavering faith, their worship never goes in vain.
With devotion, even when devotees choose to worship deities of lesser power, their fervent faith can still move mountains. With infinite compassion, the Divine honors the strength of their belief by granting their heartfelt wishes. These lesser luminous beings at some point ascended to a divine status through their profound union with the Supreme. They now inhabit various celestial realms within the vast cosmos, endowed with the ability to fulfill earthly desires of those who turn to them in prayer. When deities grant wishes of earthly beings, it is because of the approval from the Omnipotent Great Being. To give a corporate analogy, a request granted by a mid-level manager holds value only because the process has been approved by the CEO – the supreme authority in the company. The devotee’s faith and devotion serve as the channel through which the divine grace flows, leading to the manifestation of desires.
Devotees who beseech celestial beings often find their desires fulfilled, and after death their spirits are elevated to the astral planes where these divine entities reside. However, it is important to understand that this fulfillment is subject to the laws of karma. Once the karmic term of stay in these celestial realms is exhausted, souls must inevitably return to the earthly realm to continue their spiritual journey.
Only that devotee who has fully merged with the Ultimate Truth remains untouched by the relentless cycle of birth and death.
This verse highlights the importance of sincere faith and devotion in the worship of a chosen deity. It emphasizes the role of divine grace and intervention in fulfilling the devotee’s desires and underscores the inseparable connection between the devotees, their faith, and the Supreme Being.