Shloka 3
Kapila’s Conclusion: Limits of Karma and Yoga; Supremacy of Bhakti and Qualification to Receive the Teaching
तच्छ्रद्धयाक्रान्तमति: पितृदेवव्रत: पुमान् । गत्वा चान्द्रमसं लोकं सोमपा: पुनरेष्यति ॥ ३ ॥
tac-chraddhayākrānta-matiḥ pitṛ-deva-vrataḥ pumān gatvā cāndramasaṁ lokaṁ soma-pāḥ punar eṣyati
Such a person, his mind carried away by faith and devoted to vows for forefathers and demigods, attains the lunar realm. There he drinks the essence of soma, and then returns again to this planet.
The moon is considered one of the planets of the heavenly kingdom. One can be promoted to this planet by executing different sacrifices recommended in the Vedic literature, such as pious activities in worshiping the demigods and forefathers with rigidity and vows. But one cannot remain there for a very long time. Life on the moon is said to last ten thousand years according to the calculation of the demigods. The demigods’ time is calculated in such a way that one day (twelve hours) is equal to six months on this planet. It is not possible to reach the moon by any material vehicle like a sputnik, but persons who are attracted by material enjoyment can go to the moon by pious activities. In spite of being promoted to the moon, however, one has to come back to this earth again when the merits of his works in sacrifice are finished. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.21) : te taṁ bhuktvā svarga-lokaṁ viśālaṁ kṣīṇe puṇye martya-lokaṁ viśanti.
FAQs
This verse explains that faith-driven performance of vows for the Pitṛs and devas can lead one to the lunar realm among soma-drinkers, but the result is temporary and one must return again.
Kapila is teaching Devahūti that ritualistic, reward-based religion (karma-kāṇḍa) yields finite results—heavenly enjoyment followed by return—thereby encouraging the higher, permanent path of devotion and liberation.
Use faith and discipline, but aim beyond temporary gains; prioritize devotion and inner transformation over merely seeking short-lived rewards, status, or “heavenly” comforts.