Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga
The Imperishable Absolute
Arjuna asks a series of direct questions about Brahman, karma, and what happens at the time of death. Krishna answers that whatever state one dwells on at the last moment is the state one attains, and so counsels remembering the Divine throughout life rather than only at the end. He describes the imperishable syllable Om, the two paths of light and darkness, and the vast cycles of Brahma's day and night, in which worlds appear and dissolve.
All 28 verses of Chapter 8
Verse 8.1
अर्जुन उवाच । किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम । अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥
arjuna uvāca. kiṁ tad brahma kim adhyātmaṁ kiṁ karma puruṣottama, adhibhūtaṁ ca kiṁ proktam adhidaivaṁ kim ucyate.
Arjuna said: O Supreme Person, what is Brahman? What is the self? What is action? What is called the domain of the elements, and what is called the domain of the divine?
Life lesson: Don't hesitate to ask the big questions today—genuine curiosity is the start of real growth.
Read verse 8.1 in full →Verse 8.2
अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्र देहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन । प्रयाणकाले च कथं ज्ञेयोऽसि नियतात्मभिः ॥
adhiyajñaḥ kathaṁ ko'tra dehe'smin madhusūdana, prayāṇakāle ca kathaṁ jñeyo'si niyatātmabhiḥ.
Who is the lord of sacrifice here in this body, O Madhusudana, and how are You to be known at the time of death by those of disciplined mind?
Life lesson: Let today's small choices be the practice that prepares you for life's biggest moments.
Read verse 8.2 in full →Verse 8.3
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते । भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ॥
śrī bhagavān uvāca. akṣaraṁ brahma paramaṁ svabhāvo'dhyātmam ucyate, bhūtabhāvodbhavakaro visargaḥ karmasaṁjñitaḥ.
The Supreme Lord said: Brahman is the imperishable, supreme reality; one's own essential nature is called the self; the creative force that brings forth the existence of beings is called action.
Life lesson: When a big concept feels overwhelming today, break it into simple, clear pieces like Krishna does here.
Read verse 8.3 in full →Verse 8.4
अधिभूतं क्षरो भावः पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम् । अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर ॥
adhibhūtaṁ kṣaro bhāvaḥ puruṣaś cādhidaivatam, adhiyajño'ham evātra dehe dehabhṛtāṁ vara.
O best of the embodied, the domain of the elements is the perishable nature; the divine domain is the cosmic Being; and I alone am the lord of sacrifice here in this body.
Life lesson: Treat your body and actions today as sacred ground, not separate from the divine you seek.
Read verse 8.4 in full →Verse 8.5
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् । यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः ॥
anta-kāle ca mām eva smaran muktvā kalevaram yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ
Whoever remembers Me alone at the time of death, leaving the body, attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.
Life lesson: A small moment of remembrance today - a prayer, a name, a breath of gratitude - quietly prepares you for harder moments ahead.
Read verse 8.5 in full →Verse 8.6
यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं त्यजत्यन्ते कलेवरम् । तं तमेवैति कौन्तेय सदा तद्भावभावितः ॥
yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ tyajaty ante kalevaram taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ
Whatever state one remembers when leaving the body at the end, that state one attains, O Kaunteya, being always absorbed in that thought.
Life lesson: Notice what thought you keep returning to today - it's quietly shaping who you're becoming, so choose it with care.
Read verse 8.6 in full →Verse 8.7
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च । मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशयम् ॥
tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu mām anusmara yudhya ca mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayam
Therefore, remember Me at all times and do your duty. With mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will surely attain Me.
Life lesson: Carry a quiet thread of remembrance through today's duties — you don't have to step away from work to stay spiritually grounded.
Read verse 8.7 in full →Verse 8.8
अभ्यासयोगयुक्तेन चेतसा नान्यगामिना । परमं पुरुषं दिव्यं याति पार्थानुचिन्तयन् ॥
abhyāsayogayuktena cetasā nānyagāminā, paramaṁ puruṣaṁ divyaṁ yāti pārthānucintayan.
O Partha, one who meditates constantly, with a mind disciplined by the practice of Yoga and not wandering elsewhere, reaches the Supreme Divine Being.
Life lesson: Return your attention gently to what matters most today, again and again, without giving up.
Read verse 8.8 in full →Verse 8.9
कविं पुराणमनुशासितारमणोरणीयांसमनुस्मरेद्यः । सर्वस्य धातारमचिन्त्यरूपमादित्यवर्णं तमसः परस्तात् ॥
kaviṁ purāṇam anuśāsitāram aṇor aṇīyāṁsam anusmared yaḥ sarvasya dhātāram acintya-rūpam āditya-varṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastāt
One who meditates on the omniscient, ancient ruler, subtler than the subtlest, the sustainer of all, inconceivable in form, radiant like the sun, and beyond all darkness.
Life lesson: In a quiet moment today, let your mind reach toward something larger than you can fully picture — that reaching is itself the practice.
Read verse 8.9 in full →Verse 8.10
प्रयाणकाले मनसाऽचलेन भक्त्या युक्तो योगबलेन चैव । भ्रुवोर्मध्ये प्राणमावेश्य सम्यक्स तं परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम् ॥
prayāṇakāle manasā'calena bhaktyā yukto yogabalena caiva, bhruvor madhye prāṇam āveśya samyak sa taṁ paraṁ puruṣam upaiti divyam.
At the time of death, with an unwavering mind endowed with devotion and the power of Yoga, correctly fixing the life-breath between the eyebrows, one attains that Supreme Divine Being.
Life lesson: Build the kind of steady inner devotion today that would bring you peace in any moment, including the last.
Read verse 8.10 in full →Verse 8.11
यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति विशन्ति यद्यतयो वीतरागाः । यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदं सङ्ग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये ॥
yad akṣaraṁ vedavido vadanti viśanti yad yatayo vītarāgāḥ, yad icchanto brahmacaryaṁ caranti tat te padaṁ saṅgraheṇa pravakṣye.
That imperishable state which the knowers of the Vedas describe, which the disciplined sages free of passion enter, desiring which they practice celibacy—I shall briefly explain that state to you.
Life lesson: Whatever path you follow today, remember it's ultimately pointing toward the same lasting peace.
Read verse 8.11 in full →Verse 8.12
सर्वद्वाराणि संयम्य मनो हृदि निरुध्य च । मूर्ध्न्याधायात्मनः प्राणमास्थितो योगधारणाम् ॥
sarvadvārāṇi saṁyamya mano hṛdi nirudhya ca, mūrdhny ādhāyātmanaḥ prāṇam āsthito yogadhāraṇām.
Closing all the gates of the senses, confining the mind within the heart, and fixing the life-breath at the crown of the head, established in the practice of Yoga.
Life lesson: Give yourself permission today to shut out distractions for a while and gather your focus inward.
Read verse 8.12 in full →Verse 8.13
ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन् । यः प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम् ॥
om ity ekākṣaraṁ brahma vyāharan mām anusmaran, yaḥ prayāti tyajan dehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim.
One who departs, leaving the body while uttering the single syllable Om, the symbol of Brahman, and remembering Me, attains the supreme goal.
Life lesson: Practice keeping your mind on what matters most today, so it comes naturally in every moment, big or small.
Read verse 8.13 in full →Verse 8.14
अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः । तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः ॥
ananya-cetāḥ satataṁ yo māṁ smarati nityaśaḥ tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ
For the yogi who constantly remembers Me with an undivided mind, I am easy to attain, O Partha, because of their unbroken devotion.
Life lesson: You don't need perfect focus today — just keep showing up with sincerity, and that steady presence is enough.
Read verse 8.14 in full →Verse 8.15
मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम् । नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः संसिद्धिं परमां गताः ॥
mām upetya punar janma duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ
Having attained Me, great souls do not undergo rebirth in this world of suffering and impermanence, for they have reached the highest perfection.
Life lesson: Remember today that the struggle you're in is not the final word — lasting peace beyond this cycle is genuinely possible.
Read verse 8.15 in full →Verse 8.16
आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन । मामुपेत्य तु कौन्तेय पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते ॥
ā-brahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ punar āvartino 'rjuna mām upetya tu kaunteya punar janma na vidyate
All worlds up to the abode of Brahma are subject to return, O Arjuna, but having reached Me, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth.
Life lesson: Don't mistake today's big win or reward for the final goal — keep aiming at what actually lasts.
Read verse 8.16 in full →Verse 8.17
सहस्रयुगपर्यन्तमहर्यद्ब्रह्मणो विदुः । रात्रिं युगसहस्रान्तां तेऽहोरात्रविदो जनाः ॥
sahasrayugaparyantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ, rātriṁ yugasahasrāntāṁ te'horātravido janāḥ.
Those who know that Brahma's day lasts a thousand ages, and his night also a thousand ages, truly understand day and night on a cosmic scale.
Life lesson: When today's worries feel huge, remember them against the vastness of time—it often brings quiet relief.
Read verse 8.17 in full →Verse 8.18
अव्यक्ताद्व्यक्तयः सर्वाः प्रभवन्त्यहरागमे । रात्र्यागमे प्रलीयन्ते तत्रैवाव्यक्तसंज्ञके ॥
avyaktād vyaktayaḥ sarvāḥ prabhavanty aharāgame, rātryāgame pralīyante tatraivāvyaktasaṁjñake.
At the coming of Brahma's day, all manifest things arise from the unmanifest; at the coming of night, they dissolve back into that same unmanifest state.
Life lesson: Trust the natural rhythm of beginnings and endings in your own life today, rather than resisting it.
Read verse 8.18 in full →Verse 8.19
भूतग्रामः स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते । रात्र्यागमेऽवशः पार्थ प्रभवत्यहरागमे ॥
bhūtagrāmaḥ sa evāyaṁ bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate, rātryāgame'vaśaḥ pārtha prabhavaty aharāgame.
O Partha, this same multitude of beings, coming into existence again and again, dissolves helplessly at the coming of night, and arises again at the coming of day.
Life lesson: If today feels like the same cycle repeating, use it as a gentle nudge to seek something more lasting.
Read verse 8.19 in full →Verse 8.20
परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः । यः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति ॥
paras tasmāt tu bhāvo 'nyo 'vyakto 'vyaktāt sanātanaḥ yaḥ sa sarveṣu bhūteṣu naśyatsu na vinaśyati
But beyond that unmanifest, there is another unmanifest, eternal existence, which does not perish even when all beings perish.
Life lesson: When something in your life feels like it's ending today, trust there's a deeper ground beneath it that doesn't perish with it.
Read verse 8.20 in full →Verse 8.21
अव्यक्तोऽक्षर इत्युक्तस्तमाहुः परमां गतिम् । यं प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ॥
avyakto'kṣara ity uktas tam āhuḥ paramāṁ gatim, yaṁ prāpya na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama.
That which is called the unmanifest and imperishable is said to be the highest goal; having attained it, none returns—that is My supreme abode.
Life lesson: Let today's striving be aimed at something truly lasting, not just another temporary stop.
Read verse 8.21 in full →Verse 8.22
पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया । यस्यान्तःस्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ॥
puruṣaḥ sa paraḥ pārtha bhaktyā labhyas tv ananyayā yasyāntaḥ-sthāni bhūtāni yena sarvam idaṁ tatam
That Supreme Person, O Partha, in whom all beings dwell and by whom this entire universe is pervaded, is attained only through undivided devotion.
Life lesson: Instead of complicating your spiritual practice today, try simply turning your heart wholeheartedly in one direction.
Read verse 8.22 in full →Verse 8.23
यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः । प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ॥
yatra kāle tv anāvṛttim āvṛttiṁ caiva yoginaḥ, prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha.
O best of the Bharatas, I shall now describe the times at which yogis, departing, attain non-return or return to this world.
Life lesson: Bring the same careful attention to your inner life today that you would to any important decision.
Read verse 8.23 in full →Verse 8.24
अग्निर्ज्योतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् । तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः ॥
agnir jyotir ahaḥ śuklaḥ ṣaṇmāsā uttarāyaṇam, tatra prayātā gacchanti brahma brahmavido janāḥ.
Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, and the six months of the sun's northward path—departing then, knowers of Brahman go to Brahman.
Life lesson: Choose the clearer, more honest path today—it's the light that steadily guides where you'll end up.
Read verse 8.24 in full →Verse 8.25
धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्णः षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् । तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते ॥
dhūmo rātris tathā kṛṣṇaḥ ṣaṇmāsā dakṣiṇāyanam, tatra cāndramasaṁ jyotir yogī prāpya nivartate.
Smoke, night, the dark fortnight, and the six months of the sun's southward path—departing then, the yogi reaches the lunar light and returns.
Life lesson: If today feels like a return to old patterns, treat it as another chance rather than a failure.
Read verse 8.25 in full →Verse 8.26
शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते । एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययाऽऽवर्तते पुनः ॥
śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hy ete jagataḥ śāśvate mate, ekayā yāty anāvṛttim anyayāvartate punaḥ.
These two paths, the bright and the dark, are considered eternal for the world; by one, a soul goes to non-return, and by the other, it returns again.
Life lesson: Notice today which of your habits lead toward growth and which just keep you circling the same place.
Read verse 8.26 in full →Verse 8.27
नैते सृती पार्थ जानन्योगी मुह्यति कश्चन । तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु योगयुक्तो भवार्जुन ॥
naite sṛtī pārtha jānan yogī muhyati kaścana, tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu yogayukto bhavārjuna.
O Partha, no yogi who knows these two paths is ever deluded; therefore, Arjuna, be steadfast in Yoga at all times.
Life lesson: Let the clarity you've already gained steady you today, even when things around you feel uncertain.
Read verse 8.27 in full →Verse 8.28
वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टम् । अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम् ॥
vedeṣu yajñeṣu tapaḥsu caiva dāneṣu yat puṇya-phalaṁ pradiṣṭam atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti cādyam
Whatever merit is gained from studying the Vedas, performing sacrifices, austerities, and charity, the yogi who understands this transcends it all and attains the supreme, eternal abode.
Life lesson: Don't measure today's spiritual worth by a checklist of good deeds — genuine understanding matters more than accumulation.
Read verse 8.28 in full →