IX: 20

Chapter 9, Verse 20

"Those who follow the scriptures
And drink the Soma juice
Are purified of their sins.
They naturally rise to the realm of the gods."

Paramahansa Yogananda:

Those who desire celestial fruits and who purify themselves through Vedic ritual, or other scriptural rites and injunctions, by right living receive the satisfaction of their hearts' aspirations: entrance into the holy astral realms.  However, that entrance leads inevitably to an exit, because they did not desire God, but rather God's gifts.

Father Bede Griffiths:

The Vedic religion employed ritualistic offerings with the object of reaching the state of Heaven, Svarga, where one got one's reward for good deeds accomplished.  This was a religion of law, similar to the Torah for the Jews.  When you do your duty, you get your reward.

Soma was an intoxicating drink which was taken at some Vedic ceremonies,  It was made from a psychoactive plant, and those who drank it felt a kind of divine inspiration.  It was considered to be a purification from sin and a way to Heaven.  Those who drank the Soma went to the world of the gods, the Devas, but they did not go beyond.

The Upanishads and the Gita take you beyond, beyond duty and reward to Realization of God, Union with God in Love.  Anyone who follows the Vedas, on the other hand, anyone who is subject to the law, is still subject to the distinction between a religion of the law and a religion of Spirit.

A Friend:

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Gospel of Matthew, 6: 33)

Paramahansa Yogananda:

Seeking the kingdom of God first is the cardinal message of Jesus to individuals and nations of the world, because it is the surest way to lasting individual, social, and national happiness.  Perishable material possessions do not contain the everlasting bliss and immortality of the kingdom of God, but his imperishable kingdom contains in it all of the goodness of the world.

To possess God is to own the Universe.  If the ear is pulled, the head comes with it.  When by devotion you pull God into your life, then automatically the eternal prosperity of wisdom, immortality, and ever new blessings are added unto you.