Chapter 4: Jnana Karma Sanyasa Yoga, verse 12
काङ्क्षन्तः कर्मणां सिद्धिं यजन्त इह देवताः।
क्षिप्रं हि मानुषे लोके सिद्धिर्भवति कर्मजा ॥
Say itkāṅkṣhantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhiṁ yajanta iha devatāḥ
kṣhipraṁ hi mānuṣhe loke siddhir bhavati karmajā
Translation
Those who long for success in action in this world sacrifice to the gods; for success is quickly attained by men through action.
Swami Sivananda
Longing for the fruition of their actions (of their rites and duties), they worship the gods here. For, in the human world, success from action comes quickly.
Swami Gambirananda
Follows the commentary of Shankara (Advaita).
Those who desire the fruits of their ritualistic acts, sacrifice to the gods here; for, success quickly accrues in the world of men.
Swami Adidevananda
Follows the commentary of Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita).
Those who desire success in their actions perform sacrifices, intending them for the deities. For, the success born of ritualistic actions is quick in the world of men.
Dr. S. Sankaranarayan
Follows the commentary of Abhinavagupta (Kashmir Shaivism).
Those who seek success worship the Powers, and their actions in this world bear immediate fruit.
Shri Purohit Swami
कर्मोंकी सिद्धि (फल) चाहनेवाले मनुष्य देवताओंकी उपासना किया करते हैं; क्योंकि इस मनुष्यलोकमें कर्मोंसे उत्पन्न होनेवाली सिद्धि जल्दी मिल जाती है।
Swami Ramsukhdas
(सामान्य मनुष्य) यहाँ (इस लोक में) कर्मों के फल को चाहते हुये देवताओं को पूजते हैं; क्योंकि मनुष्य लोक में कर्मों के फल शीघ्र ही प्राप्त होते हैं।
Swami Tejomayananda
Classical commentariesFor deeper study. Most are in the original Sanskrit.
Advaita
Non-dual: the self and the absolute are one.
Vishishtadvaita
Qualified non-dual: souls are real parts of the divine.
Dvaita
Dual: the soul and God are eternally distinct.
Shuddhadvaita
Pure non-dual, centred on grace and devotion.
Kashmir Shaivism
The Gita read through Trika Shaiva philosophy.
Modern teachers
20th-century teachers writing for today's readers.