Bhagavadgītā Chapter 8

Akshara Brahma Yoga or The Yoga of the Imperishable Absolute

Akshara Brahma Yoga

Shloka 8.1: arjuna uvācha | kiṁ tad-brahma kim adhyātmaṁ kiṁ karma puruṣhottama | adhibhūtaṁ cha kiṁ proktam adhidaivaṁ kim uchyate || 8.1 ||

English: Arjuna said: O Supreme Personality, what is Brahman, what is the self, and what is karma? What is said to be the material manifestation, and what is called the divine?

Hindi: अर्जुन ने कहा: हे परम पुरुष, ब्रह्म क्या है, अध्यात्म क्या है, और कर्म क्या है? अधिभूत किसे कहा जाता है, और अधिदैव क्या है?

 

Shloka 8.2: adhiyajñaḥ kathaṁ ko ’tra dehe ’smin madhusūdana | prayāṇa-kāle cha kathaṁ jñeyo ’si niyatātmabhiḥ || 8.2 ||

English: Who is the Lord of sacrifice in this body, O Madhusudana? And how are You to be known at the time of death by the self-controlled?

Hindi: हे मधुसूदन, इस शरीर में अधियज्ञ कौन है? और मृत्यु के समय आत्म-संयमी व्यक्ति आपको कैसे जान सकता है?

 

Shloka 8.3: śhrī-bhagavān uvācha | akṣharaṁ brahma paramaṁ svabhāvo ’dhyātmam uchyate | bhūta-bhāvodbhava-karo visargaḥ karma-saṁjñitaḥ || 8.3 ||

English: The Blessed Lord said: The indestructible, supreme Brahman is the ultimate reality. The individual soul is called adhyatma, and the offering of sacrifices which causes the origination of living beings is called karma.

Hindi: भगवान ने कहा: अक्षर परम ब्रह्म है, जो परम वास्तविकता है। व्यक्तिगत आत्मा को अध्यात्म कहा जाता है, और जीवों के उत्पत्ति का कारण बनने वाले यज्ञ को कर्म कहा जाता है।

 

Shloka 8.4: adhibhūtaṁ kṣharo bhāvaḥ puruṣhaśh chādhidaivatam | adhiyajño ’ham evātra dehe deha-bhṛitāṁ vara || 8.4 ||

English: The physical manifestation is called adhibhuta, and the cosmic spirit is called adhidaiva. I alone am the Lord of sacrifice (adhiyajna) here in the body, O best of the embodied beings.

Hindi: भौतिक सृष्टि को अधिभूत कहा जाता है, और दैवी आत्मा को अधिदैव। हे देहधारियों में श्रेष्ठ, मैं ही इस शरीर में अधियज्ञ हूँ।

 

Shloka 8.5: anta-kāle cha mām eva smaran muktvā kalevaram | yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ yāti nāstyatra sanśhayaḥ || 8.5 ||

English: Whoever, at the time of death, remembers Me alone, and leaves the body, attains My nature. Of this, there is no doubt.

Hindi: जो कोई मृत्यु के समय केवल मेरा स्मरण करते हुए शरीर त्यागता है, वह मेरी प्रकृति को प्राप्त करता है। इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं है।

 

Shloka 8.6: yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ tyajatyante kalevaram | taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ || 8.6 ||

English: Whatever state of being one remembers when he gives up the body at the end, O Kaunteya (Arjuna), that state he will attain without fail, being always absorbed in its thought.

Hindi: जो कोई भी व्यक्ति अंत समय में जिस अवस्था का स्मरण करते हुए शरीर छोड़ता है, हे कौन्तेय (अर्जुन), वह उस अवस्था को अवश्य प्राप्त करता है, क्योंकि वह सदा उसी भावना से भावित रहा है।

 

Shloka 8.7: tasmāt sarveṣhu kāleṣhu mām anusmara yudhya cha | mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mām evaiṣhyasy asaṁśhayaḥ || 8.7 ||

English: Therefore, always remember Me and fight. With your mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will certainly come to Me without doubt.

Hindi: इसलिए, सदा मेरा स्मरण करो और युद्ध करो। अपना मन और बुद्धि मुझमें समर्पित कर, तुम अवश्य ही मुझ तक आओगे, इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं है।

 

Shloka 8.8: abhyāsa-yoga-yuktena chetasā nānya-gāminā | paramaṁ puruṣhaṁ divyaṁ yāti pārthānuchintayan || 8.8 ||

English: By the practice of yoga, with a mind that does not wander to anything else, and always thinking of the Supreme Divine Personality, one attains Him, O Partha (Arjuna).

Hindi: योग के अभ्यास द्वारा, मन को किसी और ओर न भटकने देकर, और सदा परम दिव्य पुरुष का चिंतन करते हुए, वह उसे प्राप्त करता है, हे पार्थ (अर्जुन)।

 

Shloka 8.9: kaviṁ purāṇam anuśhāsitāram aṇor aṇīyāṁsam anusmared yaḥ | sarvasya dhātāram achintya-rūpam āditya-varṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastāt || 8.9 ||

English: One should meditate on the Supreme Person as the omniscient, the ancient, the controller, smaller than the smallest, the supporter of all, of inconceivable form, shining like the sun, beyond all darkness.

Hindi: व्यक्ति को परम पुरुष का ध्यान करना चाहिए, जो सर्वज्ञ, प्राचीन, नियंत्रक, सबसे छोटे से भी सूक्ष्म, सभी का धारक, अचिंत्य रूप वाला, सूर्य के समान प्रकाशमान, और सभी अंधकार से परे है।

 

Shloka 8.10: prayāṇa-kāle manasāchalena bhaktyā yukto yoga-balena chaiva | bhruvor madhye prāṇam āveśhya samyak sa taṁ paraṁ puruṣham upaiti divyam || 8.10 ||

English: At the time of death, with a mind steady, and endowed with devotion and the strength of yoga, fixing the life force between the eyebrows, such a person attains the Supreme Divine Person.

Hindi: मृत्यु के समय, स्थिर मन से, भक्ति और योग की शक्ति से युक्त होकर, प्राण को भृकुटि के बीच में स्थिर करते हुए, ऐसा व्यक्ति परम दिव्य पुरुष को प्राप्त करता है।

 

Shloka 8.11: yad akṣharaṁ veda-vido vadanti viśhanti yad yatayo vīta-rāgāḥ | yad ichchhanto brahma-charyaṁ charanti tat te padaṁ saṅgraheṇa pravakṣhye || 8.11 ||

English: That which the knowers of the Vedas call the imperishable, into which self-controlled ascetics enter, desiring which they practice celibacy—that goal I shall briefly describe to you.

Hindi: जिसे वेदों के ज्ञानी अक्षर कहते हैं, जिसमें वैरागी तपस्वी प्रवेश करते हैं, और जिसकी इच्छा से वे ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करते हैं, उस लक्ष्य को मैं संक्षेप में तुम्हें बताऊँगा।

 

Shloka 8.12: sarva-dvārāṇi saṁyamya mano hṛidi nirudhya cha | mūrdhny ādhāyātmanaḥ prāṇam āsthito yoga-dhāraṇām || 8.12 ||

English: Controlling all the doors of the body and confining the mind within the heart, fixing the life force at the top of the head, one should establish oneself in the practice of yoga.

Hindi: शरीर के सभी द्वारों को नियंत्रित करते हुए और मन को हृदय में स्थिर करके, प्राण को सिर के शीर्ष में स्थापित करके, व्यक्ति को योग के अभ्यास में स्थित होना चाहिए।

 

Shloka 8.13: om ity ekākṣharaṁ brahma vyāharan mām anusmaran | yaḥ prayāti tyajan dehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim || 8.13 ||

English: One who, at the time of death, chants the sacred syllable Om, while remembering Me, attains the supreme goal.

Hindi: जो मृत्यु के समय इस पवित्र अक्षर का उच्चारण करता है और मेरा स्मरण करता है, वह परम गति को प्राप्त करता है।

 

Shloka 8.14: ananya-chetāḥ satataṁ yo māṁ smarati nityaśhaḥ | tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ || 8.14 ||

English: For those whose minds are always absorbed in Me with exclusive devotion, I am easily attainable, O Partha (Arjuna).

Hindi: जो लोग अविचलित चित्त से सदा मेरा स्मरण करते हैं और मुझमें ही लीन रहते हैं, उनके लिए मैं सहज ही प्राप्त हूँ, हे पार्थ (अर्जुन)।

 

Shloka 8.15: mām upetya punar janma duḥkhālayam aśhāśhvatam | nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ sansiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ || 8.15 ||

English: Having attained Me, these great souls are no longer subject to rebirth, which is full of misery and impermanent. They have attained the highest perfection.

Hindi: मुझे प्राप्त करने के बाद ये महात्मा फिर पुनर्जन्म को प्राप्त नहीं होते, जो दुःखमय और अस्थायी है। उन्होंने सर्वोच्च सिद्धि प्राप्त कर ली है।

 

Shloka 8.16: ā-brahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ punar āvartino ’rjuna | mām upetya tu kaunteya punar janma na vidyate || 8.16 ||

English: All the worlds, including the world of Brahma, are subject to rebirth, O Arjuna. But one who attains Me, O Kaunteya, is never born again.

Hindi: सभी लोक, ब्रह्म लोक सहित, पुनर्जन्म के अधीन हैं, हे अर्जुन। लेकिन जो मुझे प्राप्त करता है, हे कौन्तेय, उसका पुनर्जन्म नहीं होता।

 

Shloka 8.17: sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ | rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntāṁ te ’ho-rātra-vido janāḥ || 8.17 ||

English: Those who know that the day of Brahma lasts for a thousand yugas (ages) and his night also ends in a thousand yugas, understand the true nature of day and night.

Hindi: जो लोग यह जानते हैं कि ब्रह्मा का एक दिन हजार युगों तक चलता है और उनकी रात्रि भी हजार युगों के बाद समाप्त होती है, वे दिन और रात की सच्ची प्रकृति को समझते हैं।

 

Shloka 8.18: avyaktād vyaktayaḥ sarvāḥ prabhavanty ahar-āgame | rātry-āgame pralīyante tatraivāvyakta-saṁjñake || 8.18 ||

English: At the beginning of Brahma's day, all living entities manifest from the unmanifest state, and at nightfall, they again merge into the unmanifest.

Hindi: ब्रह्मा के दिन के प्रारंभ में सभी जीव अव्यक्त से प्रकट होते हैं, और रात्रि के आगमन पर फिर से अव्यक्त में विलीन हो जाते हैं।

 

Shloka 8.19: bhūta-grāmaḥ sa evāyaṁ bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate | rātry-āgame ’vaśhaḥ pārtha prabhavaty ahar-āgame || 8.19 ||

English: The same multitude of beings is repeatedly born and merges back into prakriti (material nature) at the arrival of Brahma's night, O Partha, and comes forth again at the beginning of his day.

Hindi: वही जीवों का समूह बार-बार जन्म लेता है और ब्रह्मा की रात्रि के आगमन पर फिर से प्रकृति में लीन हो जाता है, हे पार्थ, और उनके दिन के प्रारंभ पर फिर से प्रकट होता है।

 

Shloka 8.20: paraḥ tasmāt tu bhāvo ’nyo ’vyakto ’vyaktāt sanātanaḥ | yaḥ sa sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu naśhyatsu na vinaśhyati || 8.20 ||

English: Yet there is another, higher unmanifested state beyond this unmanifested nature, which is eternal. Even when all beings perish, it does not perish.

Hindi: फिर भी इस अव्यक्त प्रकृति से परे एक और, उच्चतर अव्यक्त अवस्था है, जो सनातन है। जब सभी जीव नष्ट हो जाते हैं, तब भी वह नष्ट नहीं होता।

 

Shloka 8.21: avyakto ’kṣhara ityuktas tam āhuḥ paramāṁ gatim | yaṁ prāpya na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama || 8.21 ||

English: That which is called the imperishable unmanifested is said to be the supreme goal. Those who attain it never return. That is My supreme abode.

Hindi: जिसे अक्षर अव्यक्त कहा जाता है, वही परम लक्ष्य कहा जाता है। जो उसे प्राप्त करते हैं, वे कभी वापस नहीं लौटते। वही मेरा परम धाम है।

 

 Shloka 8.22: puruṣhaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyas tvananyayā | yasyāntaḥsthāni bhūtāni yena sarvam idaṁ tatam || 8.22 ||

English: The Supreme Divine Personality, O Partha, is attainable by undivided devotion alone. Although He is present in all beings, and all beings dwell in Him, He is also beyond all.

Hindi: परम पुरुष हे पार्थ, केवल अनन्य भक्ति से ही प्राप्त किया जा सकता है। यद्यपि वह सभी प्राणियों में स्थित है और सभी प्राणी उसमें स्थित हैं, फिर भी वह सबसे परे है।

 

Shloka 8.23: yatra kāle tv anāvṛittim āvṛittiṁ chaiva yoginaḥ | prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ vakṣhyāmi bharatarṣhabha || 8.23 ||

English: O best of the Bharatas (Arjuna), now I will explain to you the different times at which, departing from this world, the yogis either attain liberation or return.

Hindi: हे भरतश्रेष्ठ (अर्जुन), अब मैं तुम्हें वे समय बताऊँगा जिनके अनुसार इस संसार से प्रस्थान करने पर योगी या तो मुक्ति प्राप्त करते हैं या लौट आते हैं।

 

Shloka 8.24: agnir jyotir ahaḥ śhuklaḥ ṣhaṇ-māsā uttarāyaṇam | tatra prayātā gachchhanti brahma brahma-vido janāḥ || 8.24 ||

English: Those who depart during the bright fire, in the daylight, in the bright fortnight, during the six months of the northern path of the sun, attain Brahman. Such people, who are knowers of Brahman, attain the Supreme.

Hindi: जो लोग अग्नि, प्रकाश, दिन के समय, शुक्ल पक्ष, और सूर्य के उत्तरायण के छह महीनों में प्रस्थान करते हैं, वे ब्रह्म को प्राप्त होते हैं। ऐसे लोग, जो ब्रह्मज्ञानी हैं, परम लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करते हैं।

 

Shloka 8.25: dhūmo rātris tathā kṛiṣhṇaḥ ṣhaṇ-māsā dakṣhiṇāyanam | tatra chāndramasaṁ jyotir yogī prāpya nivartate || 8.25 ||

English: The yogi who passes away during smoke, in the night, during the dark fortnight, or in the six months of the southern path of the sun, attains the lunar light and subsequently returns.

Hindi: जो योगी धुएँ, रात्रि, कृष्ण पक्ष, और सूर्य के दक्षिणायण के छह महीनों में प्रस्थान करता है, वह चंद्रमा के प्रकाश को प्राप्त करता है और फिर वापस आता है।

 

Shloka 8.26: śhukla-kṛiṣhṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śhāśhvate mate | ekayā yātyanāvṛittim anyayāvartate punaḥ || 8.26 ||

English: According to Vedic knowledge, there are two paths: the path of light and the path of darkness. By one, a person attains liberation and does not return; by the other, one returns again.

Hindi: वैदिक ज्ञान के अनुसार दो मार्ग हैं: प्रकाश मार्ग और अंधकार मार्ग। एक से व्यक्ति मुक्ति प्राप्त करता है और वापस नहीं आता; दूसरे से वह फिर वापस लौट आता है।

 

Shloka 8.27: naite sṛitī pārtha jānan yogī muhyati kaśhchana | tasmāt sarveṣhu kāleṣhu yoga-yukto bhavārjuna || 8.27 ||

English: O Partha (Arjuna), the yogi who knows these two paths is never bewildered. Therefore, always be steadfast in yoga.

Hindi: हे पार्थ (अर्जुन), जो योगी इन दोनों मार्गों को जानता है, वह कभी भ्रमित नहीं होता। इसलिए सदा योग में स्थित रहो।

 

Shloka 8.28: vedeṣhu yajñeṣhu tapaḥsu chaiva dāneṣhu yat puṇya-phalaṁ pradiṣhṭam | atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti chādyam || 8.28 ||

English: The yogi who knows this transcends all the rewards promised in the Vedas, in sacrifices, in austerities, and in charity. Such a yogi attains the supreme eternal abode.

Hindi: जो योगी यह जानता है, वह वेदों, यज्ञों, तपों, और दानों में प्रतिज्ञात सभी पुण्य फलों से ऊपर उठ जाता है। ऐसा योगी परम सनातन धाम को प्राप्त करता है।

 

Here is a Comprehensive Summary of Chapter 8:

 

Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita is titled ‘Akshara Brahma Yoga’ or ‘The Yoga of the Imperishable Absolute’. In this chapter, Krishna elaborates on the nature of Brahman, karma, and the various paths leading to liberation. He also discusses the significance of the time at which one departs from this world and its effect on the destination of the soul.

The Nature of Brahman and the Self (Verses 1-4)

Arjuna begins by asking Krishna a series of questions regarding Brahman, adhyatma (the self), karma, and the principles that govern the physical and divine realms. Krishna answers these questions, explaining that Brahman is the supreme imperishable reality, the individual soul is called adhyatma, and karma refers to the creative actions that lead to the manifestation of living beings.

Krishna explains that the physical elements constitute adhibhuta, and the cosmic spirit is adhidaiva. He also identifies Himself as the adhiyajna (the Lord of sacrifice) within all beings.

The Importance of the Time of Departure (Verses 5-8)

Krishna emphasizes that whoever remembers Him at the time of death will surely attain Him. He stresses the importance of contemplation and remembrance of the Supreme Personality during one's lifetime to achieve this. Krishna urges Arjuna to remember Him always, even while performing his duties as a warrior, to ensure that he attains Krishna in the end.

The Process of Meditation at the Time of Death (Verses 9-13)

Krishna provides a detailed description of how one should meditate upon Him at the time of death. By focusing the mind on the heart and fixing the life force between the eyebrows, chanting the sacred syllable Om, one can attain the Supreme Goal.

The Nature of the Supreme Abode (Verses 14-22)

Krishna explains that those who are devoted to Him with undivided attention can easily attain Him. Upon attaining Krishna, they are no longer subject to the cycle of birth and death, which is full of misery and impermanence. Krishna's supreme abode is beyond all manifestation and is eternal.

Krishna contrasts the transitory nature of all the worlds, including even Brahma's world, with His own eternal abode. He explains that Brahma's day and night are of enormous duration—each lasting for thousands of yugas—and all beings come into existence and merge back into the unmanifest at the beginning and end of Brahma's day and night, respectively.

The Paths of Light and Darkness (Verses 23-28)

Krishna describes the two paths by which souls depart from this world—the path of light and the path of darkness. The path of light leads to liberation, while the path of darkness leads to rebirth. Those who leave during the northern path of the sun attain liberation, while those who leave during the southern path return to the cycle of birth and death.

Krishna assures Arjuna that the yogi who understands these two paths is never bewildered. Krishna encourages Arjuna to be steadfast in yoga to achieve the highest goal.

The chapter concludes with Krishna stating that the yogi who knows these teachings transcends all the benefits promised by the Vedas, austerities, charities, and sacrifices. Such a yogi ultimately attains Krishna's supreme abode.

Key Teachings of Chapter 8

  1. Remembrance at the Time of Death: Krishna emphasizes the importance of remembering Him at the moment of death. The state of consciousness at the time of leaving the body determines the destination of the soul.
  2. Two Paths of Departure: Krishna describes the two paths—the path of light leading to liberation and the path of darkness leading to rebirth. The significance of the time and manner of departure from the material world is highlighted, showing that devotion and knowledge play crucial roles in determining one's fate.
  3. Supreme Abode: Krishna explains that His supreme abode is beyond the material world and is eternal. Those who attain it are free from the cycle of birth and death. Krishna contrasts the eternal nature of His abode with the temporary nature of all other worlds.
  4. Practice of Yoga: Krishna encourages constant practice and devotion as the means to attain Him. By practicing yoga with devotion and focusing on Krishna, one can ultimately achieve the highest perfection and avoid the misery of rebirth.
  5. Transcending All Rewards: Krishna states that the yogi who understands and follows His teachings transcends all the rewards offered by the Vedas, sacrifices, austerities, and charities. Such a yogi attains the supreme eternal abode.

Chapter 8, ‘The Yoga of the Imperishable Absolute’, provides a detailed understanding of the nature of Brahman, the soul, and the paths leading to liberation. Krishna emphasizes the importance of remembering Him at the time of death and describes the process of meditation that helps one attain the supreme goal.

The chapter also presents the cyclic nature of creation and dissolution, highlighting the transitory nature of all material worlds compared to Krishna's eternal abode. The paths of light and darkness are discussed, showing that devotion and the time of departure determine one's ultimate destination.

Krishna concludes by encouraging Arjuna to be steadfast in yoga and to strive to attain the supreme abode, transcending all material rewards and limitations.

 

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