Verse 9-20

त्रैविद्या मां सोमपा: पूतपापा

यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते |

ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक

मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् || 20 ||

“Those who are knowledgeable in the three Vedas, who drink the soma juice, who are purified of their sins, and who desire to attain heaven, worship me through sacrifices. They reach the heavenly planets and enjoy divine pleasures there.” 

Commentary:

Lord Krishna describes a group of people who engage in Vedic rituals and seek heavenly rewards. These individuals possess knowledge of the three Vedas, which are the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. They participate in the ritualistic offering of soma, a sacred drink made from a plant, as part of their religious practices. By performing these rituals, they aim to purify themselves of their past sins and seek passage to the heavenly realms.

Lord Krishna acknowledges that these individuals, through their sincere worship and adherence to Vedic rituals, achieve the desired result. They attain the heavenly planets (surloka) after death and enjoy divine pleasures there. The heavenly realms are depicted as places of great beauty, bliss, and abundance.

However, it is important to note that Lord Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita go beyond mere ritualistic worship and the pursuit of heavenly rewards. He encourages individuals to develop a deeper understanding of their own divine nature and to cultivate a personal relationship with Him. He emphasizes the path of devotion (bhakti) and the importance of self-realization.