Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 23
Karma-vāda Critiqued, Varṇāśrama Reframed, and the Soul’s Distinction from the Body
इष्ट्वेह देवता यज्ञै: स्वर्लोकं याति याज्ञिक: । भुञ्जीत देववत्तत्र भोगान् दिव्यान् निजार्जितान् ॥ २३ ॥
iṣṭveha devatā yajñaiḥ svar-lokaṁ yāti yājñikaḥ bhuñjīta deva-vat tatra bhogān divyān nijārjitān
Người ở trần gian làm tế lễ để làm hài lòng chư thiên sẽ đến cõi trời; tại đó, như một vị thiên, người ấy hưởng các lạc thú thiên giới do chính mình tích lũy.
FAQs
This verse states that by performing sacrifices for the demigods, a person attains Svarga and enjoys celestial pleasures there according to the merit he has earned.
Krishna is teaching Uddhava how karma works—showing that ritualistic worship aimed at material gain leads to temporary heavenly results, not ultimate liberation.
Do good actions and worship without making temporary rewards the goal; focus your spiritual practice on devotion to the Lord and lasting inner transformation rather than short-lived “heavenly” comforts.