daivam evāpare yajñaṁ yoginaḥ paryupāsate
brahmāgnāvapare yajñaṁ yajñenaivopajuhvati
daivam — the celestial gods;
eva — indeed;
apare — others;
yajñam — sacrifice;
yoginaḥ — spiritual practioners;
paryupāsate — worship;
brahma — of the Supreme Truth;
agnau — in the fire;
apare — others;
yajñam — sacrifice;
yajñena — by sacrifice;
eva — indeed;
upajuhvati — offer
This verse talks about different types of worship and sacrifices that people perform. It's saying that there are yogis, or spiritual practitioners, who dedicate their efforts to worship the demigods, a kind of guardian or powerful being in charge of different aspects of the universe. These yogis perform different kinds of sacrifices, which are acts of devotion or offerings meant to please these demigods.
On the other hand, there are also those who make sacrifices to the Supreme Brahman, which is the idea of the ultimate, formless essence of the universe. This means they focus their devotion not on individual gods but on a higher principle that links everything together.
Now, let’s break it down:
1. **Worshiping Demigods:** Some people believe that different demigods can help them achieve their goals, like getting a good job, health, or happiness. So, they worship these beings through rituals and offerings. This can be seen as a way to ask for favors and they believe that by doing so, these demigods will grant their wishes.
2. **Offering to the Supreme Brahman:** Then there are those who take a different approach. Instead of focusing on individual gods, they see everything as connected and worship this greater, formless concept of the Supreme. They believe in merging themselves into this unchanging reality, showing a desire to enter a state beyond individuality.
The common thread is that people are trying to connect with something greater and believe that sacrifices, in form of actions or offerings, are the way to do this.
However, the deeper message here is about intention and focus.
- **Intention Matters:** What truly counts is not just what you offer but why you offer it. Those who worship demigods might be focused on gaining something for themselves, like material success or personal satisfaction. Meanwhile, those who seek after the Supreme Brahman might be aiming to lose their sense of self and become one with the universe.
3. **Krsna Consciousness:** The highest form of devotion, as explained through Krsna consciousness, goes even further. It emphasizes selflessness and the idea of giving everything up for the love of God, specifically for Krsna. This means that true yogis aren't just seeking personal gain or even merging into a higher state; they dedicate their lives to serving Krsna without any expectation of return. They sacrifice their entire self—wishes, desires, and possessions—all for the sake of spiritual service.
In simpler terms, this verse is illustrating a journey of devotion and self-offering. It explains that different people have different objectives in their worship and sacrifices:
- Some want to gain worldly benefits and work with demigods.
- Others aim for enlightenment by merging into the ultimate reality.
- The wisest are those who surrender everything they have, including their sense of self, for the love and service of Krsna.
This is about how we relate to the divine: with a focus on personal desires, on higher truths, or through selfless service. Each path is valid but the most fulfilling one, as shown in this teaching, is sacrificing it all for the love of God.