Chapter 9 • Verse 23

येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः। तेऽपि मामेव कौन्तेय यजन्त्यविधिपूर्वकम्॥

ye 'py anya-devatā-bhaktā yajante śhraddhayānvitāḥ te 'pi mām eva kaunteya yajanty avidhi-pūrvakam

Meaning

Even those devotees who faithfully worship other gods are actually worshipping Me alone, O son of Kunti, though not in the proper way.

A remarkable statement of divine unity: even worship of other deities reaches Krishna, though indirectly. All sincere worship goes to the One. The 'improper way' doesn't reject their worship but suggests they haven't recognized the ultimate recipient. All rivers reach the ocean.

Strength Reflection

"I honor all sincere worship while seeking to worship the ultimate source directly."

Devotional Surrender

Lord, let all my worship reach You directly. You are the one behind all forms.