Inane Interpolations in Bhagavad-Gita – 9

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This chapter of 30 verses is about understanding the nature of the Supreme through knowing and meditation. However, v20-v23 besides breaking the continuity in the character of the discourse, advocate worship of gods for boon seeking that Krishna, as already seen, has chastised in Ch2, v42-v44. In order to appreciate that v20-v23 are interpolations, one my see how the original narrative runs, prior to their insertion, and subsequently thereafter.

Ch7, V14

If thee forsake well and true
To Me then thou come ’n grasp
Natures these Mine illusions.

daivi hyeshaa guna-mayimama maayaa duratyayaa
maam eva ye prapadyante maayaam etaam taranti te

Ch7, V18

Noble as all worship Me
The knower true is selfsame Me.

udaaraah sarva evaite jnaani tvaatmaiva me matam
aasthitah sa hi yuktaatmaa maam evaanuttamaam gatim

Ch7, V19

Once in a while
Births after many,
Born who knows
I pervade worlds.

bahunaam janmanaam ante jnaanavaan maam prapadyate
vaasudevah sarvam iti sa mahaatmaa su-durlabhah

V20

kaamais tais tair hrita-jnaanaah prapadyante nya-devataah
tam tam niyamam aasthaaya prakrityaa niyataah svayaa

Those whose knowledge has been carried away by material desires surrender to the celestial gods. Following their own nature, they worship the devataas, practicing rituals meant to propitiate these celestial personalities.

V21

yo yo yaam yaam tanum bhaktah shraddhayaarchitum ichchhati
tasya tasyaachalaam shraddhaam taam eva vidadhaamyaham

Whatever celestial form a devotee seeks to worship with faith, I steady the faith of such a devotee in that form.

V22

sa tayaa shraddhayaa yuktas tasyaaraadhanam ihate
labhate cha tatah kaamaan mayaiva vihitaan hi taan

Endowed with faith, the devotee worships a particular celestial god and obtains the objects of desire. But in reality, I alone arrange these benefits.

V23

phalam teshaam tad bhavatyalpa-medhasaam
devaan deva-yajo yaanti mad-bhaktaa yaanti maam api

But the fruit gained by these people of small understanding is perishable. Those who worship the celestial gods go to the celestial abodes, while my devotees come to me

Now back to good sense with

Ch7, V24

Unmanifest Am State Supreme
But saddle Me with form uncouth.

avyaktam vyaktim aapannaṁ manyante maam abuddhayah
param bhaavam ajaananto mamaavyayam anuttamam

Ch7, V25

Dull in delusion won’t perceive
Me that’s unborn veiled from them.

naaham prakaashah sarvasya yoga-maayaa-samaavritah
mudho yam naabhijaanaati loko maam ajam avyayam

Hence, undoubtedly v20 –v23 can be taken as inane interpolations.

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