त्रैविद्या मां सोमपाः पूतपापा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा स्वर्गतिं प्रार्थयन्ते । ते पुण्यमासाद्य सुरेन्द्रलोक- मश्नन्ति दिव्यान्दिवि देवभोगान् ॥
traividyā māṃ somapāḥ pūtapāpā yajñairiṣṭvā svargatiṃ prārthayante | te puṇyamāsādya surendraloka- maśnanti divyāndivi devabhogān ||
Translation
The knowers of the three Vedas, drinkers of soma, purified of sins — worshiping Me through sacrifices, they pray for the path to heaven. Reaching the meritorious realm of the lord of gods, they enjoy divine pleasures in the heavenly world.
Interpretation
The chapter now evaluates the fruits of different levels of religious practice. The tri-vid (knowers of the three Vedas), who perform Vedic rituals and drink soma (the sacred ritual offering), reach heaven (svarga) after purification. They enjoy divine pleasures in the realm of Indra (surendraloka). This is real — it is the legitimate fruit of Vedic ritual and a good destination. But it is not the highest. The next verse reveals the limitation.