kāmais tais tair hṛita-jñānāḥ prapadyante ’nya-devatāḥ
taṁ taṁ niyamam āsthāya prakṛityā niyatāḥ svayā
kāmaiḥ — by material desires;
taiḥ taiḥ — by various;
hṛita-jñānāḥ — whose knowledge has been carried away;
prapadyante — surrender;
anya — to other;
devatāḥ — celestial gods;
tam tam — the various;
niyamam — rules and regulations;
āsthāya — following;
prakṛityā — by nature;
niyatāḥ — controlled;
svayā — by their own
This verse talks about how people react to their desires and what they choose to worship. It says that when someone's mind is clouded by wants or desires for material things, they tend to turn to different gods or deities for help. These are often lesser gods, known as demigods. They create rules and rituals around worship that fit their personal nature and feelings.
Now, let’s break this down further. When someone has strong desires—like wanting success, wealth, or pleasure—they might think that praying to a specific demigod will help them get what they want. However, these desires can distract them from the bigger picture or true understanding of life. Essentially, their thinking gets distorted, leading them to place their faith in these lesser forces instead of seeking a deeper connection with the Supreme, who is beyond just material wants.
As long as these individuals are caught up in their material desires, they aren't really devotees—or true followers—of the Supreme Lord. But here’s the twist: even if someone still has material desires, if they start directing their attention towards the Supreme Lord, they can begin to shift away from those desires. By aiming to connect with the Supreme, they can gradually free themselves from the hold that material wishes have on their lives.
The interpretation emphasizes that regardless of where a person stands—whether they are full of desires, seeking spiritual freedom, or are already a devotee without any material wishes—everyone should seek out the Supreme Lord, known as Vasudeva. The idea is that this ultimate surrender can help anyone, no matter their current situation, to move toward a more fulfilling spiritual path.
So, this verse encourages all people, even those who are confused or caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, to turn their attention to the Supreme Lord. It showcases an open invitation for everyone to begin their journey towards spirituality, no matter their starting point or current conditions.