Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga, Meaning in Simple Words

Chapter 8 is about the moment of death, but its message is for life: at the end one remembers what one has remembered all through life. Its heart is "remember me at all times and do your work". The chapter is also traditionally read for the peace of the departed.

Verses 1 and 2: Arjuna's seven questions

Arjuna asks: "O Supreme Person, (1) what is Brahman? (2) What is the self (adhyatma)? (3) What is action? (4) What is called adhibhuta? (5) What is adhidaiva? (6) Who is adhiyajna in this body, and how? (7) And how are you known at the hour of death by the self-controlled?"

Verses 3 and 4: the answers

"The Imperishable, the supreme, is Brahman; one's own essential nature is called the self; the creative force that brings beings into existence is called action. The perishable is adhibhuta, the cosmic Person is adhidaiva, and I myself, dwelling in this body, am adhiyajna."

Verses 5 to 8: remembrance at death

Anta kale cha mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram
yah prayati sa mad bhavam yati nasty atra samshayah (8.5)

Meaning: Whoever leaves the body at the hour of death remembering me alone attains my being; of this there is no doubt.

Whatever state of being one remembers when leaving the body, that one attains, having always been absorbed in it (8.6).

Tasmat sarveshu kaleshu mam anusmara yudhya cha
mayy arpita mano buddhir mam evaishyasy asamshayam (8.7)

Meaning: Therefore remember me at all times and fight (do your duty). With mind and intellect offered to me, you will surely come to me.

With a mind disciplined by practice that does not stray, constantly meditating, one reaches the supreme divine Person.

Verses 9 to 13: meditation and Om

One who meditates on the all-knowing, the ancient, the ruler, subtler than the subtlest, the sustainer of all, of unthinkable form, radiant as the sun beyond darkness, and at the time of death, with a steady mind, devotion and the power of yoga, fixes the life-breath between the brows, reaches that supreme divine Person. "I will tell you briefly of the state the knowers of the Veda call the Imperishable, which the passionless enter and for which they live in self-discipline. Closing all the gates of the senses, holding the mind in the heart and the breath in the head, uttering Om, the one-syllabled Brahman, and remembering me, one who departs leaving the body reaches the supreme goal."

Verses 14 to 16: easily reached through single-minded remembrance

"For the yogi who remembers me constantly with an undivided mind, I am easily reached (8.14). Having come to me, great souls do not return to rebirth, the home of sorrow and impermanence, for they have reached the highest perfection (8.15). All worlds up to the world of Brahma are subject to return, but on reaching me there is no rebirth."

Verses 17 to 22: the day and night of Brahma

Those who know that a day of Brahma lasts a thousand ages and his night another thousand know the truth of time. At the dawn of Brahma's day all beings come forth from the unmanifest; at nightfall they merge into it again. The same multitude of beings, born again and again, dissolves helplessly at nightfall and comes forth at daybreak. Beyond that unmanifest is another, eternal unmanifest that does not perish when all beings perish. It is called the Imperishable and the supreme goal; that is my supreme abode, reaching which none return. That supreme Person, in whom all beings dwell and by whom all this is pervaded, is reached by undivided devotion.

Verses 23 to 28: two paths

"Now I will tell you the times of departure by which yogis do not return, and by which they return."

• The bright path: fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the northern course of the sun; those who know Brahman and depart by it reach Brahman and do not return.
• The dark path: smoke, night, the dark fortnight, the six months of the southern course; the yogi departing by it reaches the lunar light (enjoys heaven) and returns.

These two paths are considered eternal. The yogi who knows them is never confused, so be steadfast in yoga at all times, Arjuna. Whatever merit is said to come from study of the Vedas, sacrifice, austerity and charity, the yogi who knows this goes beyond it all and reaches the supreme, original abode (8.28).

What this chapter teaches

• The last thought does not appear by chance; a lifetime's practice comes forward at that moment.
• Remembering God and doing one's work can go together.
• Even the highest pleasures of the world are not permanent; only God's abode is unchanging.
• For one who remembers with an undivided heart, God is "easily reached", not difficult.