Having enjoyed the vast heavenly realm, when their merit is exhausted, they return to the mortal world. Thus, those who follow the Vedic rituals desiring sense pleasures achieve only coming and going.
Synthesis
Having enjoyed the vast heavenly realm, when merit is exhausted they return to mortal existence. Following Vedic rituals motivated by desire yields only cyclic results. Shankara contrasts temporary heavenly rewards with permanent liberation. Ramanuja motivates devotion over mere ritual. The bhakti tradition finds urgency: desire-driven worship cannot satisfy the soul. Madhva emphasizes that even heaven is temporary — only Vishnu's realm is eternal. Abhinavagupta sees the return as incomplete recognition fading. Vallabhacharya motivates seeking the Giver rather than the gifts. Tilak reads this as the definitive argument against desire-driven action. Vivekananda challenges all spiritual materialism: stop bargaining with God and pursue permanent freedom.
Commentaries 8 traditions
Shankara emphasizes that all action-based results are inherently finite. Like a bank account that depletes with spending, puṇya (merit) earned through rituals is eventually exhausted. Only knowledge of Brahman leads to permanent freedom. The wise therefore seek the imperishable rather than accumulating temporary merit.
Apply This Verse
Personal Growth
Every achievement that depends on temporary conditions will eventually end. Recognize the 'coming and going' pattern in your life — periods of success followed by loss. Invest in what is permanent: wisdom, character, inner peace.
Questions this verse answers
- ?"Why do my achievements feel temporary?"
- ?"How do I break the cycle of attainment and loss?"
- ?"What in my life is truly permanent versus temporary?"
- ?"How do I invest in what will last?"