Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 12

Chapter 4 – Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः ।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥

Transliteration

kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha devatāḥ .
kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhirbhavati karmajā ॥

Meaning

Those who desire success in their actions here worship the gods, for in the human world success born of action comes quickly.

Word meanings

काङ्क्षन्तः – desiring, longing for
कर्मणाम् – of actions
सिद्धिम् – success, fulfilment
यजन्ते – worship, sacrifice to
इह – here, in this world
देवताः – the gods, deities
क्षिप्रम् – quickly
हि – for, because
मानुषे – in the human
लोके – world
सिद्धिः – success
भवति – comes, is attained
कर्मजा – born of action

Anvaya (word order)

इह कर्मणां सिद्धिं काङ्क्षन्तः देवताः यजन्ते; हि मानुषे लोके कर्मजा सिद्धिः क्षिप्रं भवति ।

Explanation

In the previous verse Krishna said that all paths lead finally to Him. A question naturally follows: if so, why do most people not turn directly to the Supreme, and instead worship various gods? In this verse Krishna paints a realistic picture of human nature.

‘Kankshantah karmanam siddhim’ — people want their actions to succeed: wealth, health, children, position, victory. To fulfil these desires they worship the deities regarded as presiding over these particular results. Chapter 3 (3.11–3.12) had already spoken of the mutual cooperation between gods and humans through sacrifice.

‘Kshipram hi manushe loke siddhir bhavati karmaja’ — for in the human world the fruit of action comes quickly. Shankara explains that the human world is the field of action (karma-bhumi), where the results of deeds done according to one's station appear soon. The fruit of knowledge — liberation — is by contrast hard to win and calls for patience, since it requires restraint of the senses, dispassion and deep discipline. So most people choose the path that gives quick returns.

Krishna does not condemn such people; He simply states the facts. Yet the hint is clear: success born of action comes quickly, but it is also fleeting. The wise person is not content with passing results and moves towards the imperishable goal that this chapter has been describing from its very first verse.

Context

In 4.11 Krishna said He rewards each according to their approach and that all follow His path. Here He explains why most people worship the gods for quick results. In the next verse (4.13) He says that the fourfold order of society, based on qualities and actions, is also His creation.

Life lesson

The pull of quick results is natural, but what comes quickly often goes quickly too. Alongside life's small successes, do not lose sight of the lasting goal that alone gives true peace.

Key terms

Siddhi: success, the fruit of action
Devata: a deity presiding over particular powers and results
Karma-bhumi: the human world, the field where action bears fruit