Bhagavad Gita 4.12
Spoken by Krishna · Verse 12 of 42
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः । क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥
kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhiṃ yajanta iha devatāḥ | kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhir bhavati karma-jā ||
Those seeking results worship the gods who grant results. Quick success comes from action in the human world.
Word by word (3)
- kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṃ siddhim yajante iha devatāḥ
- — desiring success in actions, people worship the gods here · Kāṅkṣantaḥ = desiring, seeking (from kāṅkṣ = to desire). Karmaṇāṃ siddhim = success/fruition in actions. Yajante = they worship, sacrifice to. Devatāḥ = the gods (the cosmic forces/deities). Human beings naturally worship the forces associated with the results they want — Indra for rain, Lakṣmī for wealth, etc.
- kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke siddhiḥ bhavati karma-jā
- — quickly in the human world does action-born success come · Kṣipram = quickly, swiftly. Mānuṣa loke = in the human world (mānuṣa = human). Siddhiḥ = success, accomplishment. Karma-jā = born of action (karma + ja = born from). The human realm is unique: it is the domain where action produces rapid results — making it precious and also prone to short-term thinking.
- kṣipraṃ hi mānuṣe loke
- — kṣipram = quickly, swiftly (from kṣip = to throw; something thrown happens fast — quick result); hi = indeed/verily (emphatic particle); mānuṣe loke = in the human world (mānuṣa = human; loka = world/realm); the point is specific: the human realm is uniquely suited for action-born results — karma-phala (results of action) ripen fastest here; gods have power but human effort has the unique capacity for rapid fruition; this is why human birth is considered precious in Gita cosmology
Those who desire success in their actions worship the gods here. For in the human world, success born of action comes quickly.
A modern analogy
Someone prays to a patron saint before a big interview, a performance, a deal. They want specific, quick results. This verse doesn't condemn this — it describes it accurately. The human world IS the world of rapid action-result cycles. But the previous verse has already pointed beyond this: since the divine responds to whatever approach we bring, there is a deeper approach than result-seeking.
Take with you
- This verse describes result-oriented action and worship — not condemned but noted as the common human mode.
- Kṣipram (quickly) — the human realm is defined by rapid cause-effect. This makes it valuable and dangerous.
- The contrast with the previous verse: that one is about how one approaches the ultimate, where the divine meets every sincere seeker; this one is about approaching immediate results.
- Understanding this distinction helps clarify what level of 'approach' you are currently operating on.
Public-domain translations (5) compare all →
Desiring the fruition of actions, they worship the gods here; for success, born of action, comes quickly to men in this world. [1]
Those who long for success in action in this world worship the gods; because success is quickly attained by men through action. [4]
Those who desire the fruit of their actions in this world offer sacrifice to the gods; because success is quickly obtained by men through action. [6]
They whose desires lead them to seek some God For earthly needs, find quickly in that God The earthly need supplied. [7]
Those who wish for success in action in this world worship the gods; for success from action is quickly obtained in this world of men. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
However you approach Me — I respond in that same way. All human paths ultimately follow My path.
With that faith, the devotee worships that deity and gains the desired objects — these being dispensed by Me alone.
Do My work, hold Me supreme, be My devotee, attachment-free, without enmity toward all — such a one comes to Me!
Surrendering all actions to Brahman, abandoning attachment — like a lotus leaf, sin never clings.
Unable even to act for My sake? Then take refuge in Me, abandon all fruits of action — with self-restraint.
The unattached-minded, self-conquered, desire-free one attains supreme naiskarmya-siddhi through sannyāsa.
Verse 12 of 42 · back to Chapter 4