yānti deva-vratā devān pitṝīn yānti pitṛi-vratāḥ
bhūtāni yānti bhūtejyā yānti mad-yājino ’pi mām
yānti — go;
deva-vratāḥ — worshipers of celestial gods;
devān — amongst the celestial gods;
pitṝīn — to the ancestors;
yānti — go;
pitṛi-vratā — worshippers of ancestors;
bhūtāni — to the ghosts;
yānti — go;
bhūta-ijyāḥ — worshippers of ghosts;
yānti — go;
mat — my;
yājinaḥ — devotees;
api — and;
mām — to me
This verse explains that different kinds of worship lead to different kinds of existence after this life. If someone prays to lesser gods or demigods, they will be born in realms where those divine beings exist, which could be thought of as special spiritual places connected to those gods. For instance, if you were to worship a god of the moon, you could say you'd receive a new life on the moon or a similar spiritual realm connected to that god.
The same applies if someone chooses to honor their ancestors; they can reach a place related to their forefathers. So, if you were to perform rituals or offerings specifically for your ancestors, you might expect to go to an ancestral realm upon passing away.
Additionally, if someone gets involved with spirits or practices considered 'black magic,' they would find themselves in places associated with those entities. Imagine someone who seeks out magic or supernatural powers connected to spirits; their journey might lead them to a darker, ghostly existence. This is not a good pathway, as it’s tied to material desires and shortcomings.
Now, on a different note, the verse emphasizes the importance of worshiping the Supreme God, like Krishna or Vishnu. Those who sincerely devote themselves and perform their worship with love and dedication can hope to reach the highest spiritual realm, often thought of as a divine home, like Vaikuntha or Krsnaloka. These are places of true peace, happiness, and fulfillment, far beyond what one might gain by worshipping demigods or ancestors.
Many people aren’t even aware that these divine realms exist, which means they miss out on the chance to experience the ultimate joy of being close to the Supreme God. They might think that following other paths, like aiming to be on a spiritual level without acknowledging the Supreme, is enough—but they, too, could lose their connection to the highest spiritual energy or light.
The teaching encourages everyone to follow the practice of Krishna consciousness. By merely chanting the simple 'Hare Krishna' mantra, one can find true fulfillment and, ultimately, the chance to go back to their spiritual home after this life. This verse reassures us that no matter the specifics of one's past worship, turning towards devotion to God opens a path to the highest form of existence and bliss.