Bhagavad Gita BG 9.21

Chapter 9, Verse 21 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं क्षीणे पुण्ये मर्त्यलोकं विशन्ति । एवं त्रयीधर्ममनुप्रपन्ना गतागतं कामकामा लभन्ते ॥

te tam bhuktva svarga-lokam vishalam kshine punye martya-lokam vishanti evam trayi-dharmam anuprapanna gatagatum kama-kama labhante

Meaning

Having enjoyed that vast heaven-world, when their merit is exhausted they enter the mortal world. Thus following the Vedic dharma of desire, they obtain the going and the returning.

Understanding

The inevitable return. Te tam bhuktva svarga-lokam vishalam (having enjoyed that vast svarga-world — the enjoyment is real and extensive). Kshine punye (when the merit/punya is exhausted — it runs out, it is spent). Martya-lokam vishanti (they enter the mortal world — descent from heaven back to earth). Evam (thus) — the pattern is established. Trayi-dharmam anuprapanna (following the Vedic dharma of the three — the ritual path of the three Vedas). Kama-kama (desire-desiring — those who follow desire, who are driven by wanting heaven's pleasures). Gatagatam labhante (they obtain the going-and-coming, the gatAgata — the perpetual up-and-down). This is the structural limitation of merit-based practice: merit is quantified, it runs out, and the cycle continues.

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