Chapter IX · Śloka 20
त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा
यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते ।
ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक-
मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ॥
यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते ।
ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक-
मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ॥
trai-vidyā māṃ soma-pāḥ pūta-pāpā
yajñair iṣṭvā svar-gatiṃ prārthayante |
te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam
aśnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān ||
yajñair iṣṭvā svar-gatiṃ prārthayante |
te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam
aśnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān ||
The knowers of the three Vedas, the soma-drinkers, purified of sin, worshipping Me with sacrifices, pray for passage to heaven; they reach the holy realm of Indra and enjoy divine pleasures in the celestial world.
Those who follow Vedic ritual correctly do reach Svarga and enjoy genuine celestial rewards. Kṛṣṇa does not deny this — He will now contrast it with the superior fruit of devotion.