Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 – Akshara Brahma Yoga | Important Shlokas with Meaning
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, known as Akshara Brahma Yoga, explores the imperishable Brahman, the nature of the individual self, Karma, remembrance of the Divine, meditation, Om, death and liberation.
In this chapter, Arjuna asks Krishna to explain several profound spiritual terms, including Brahman, Adhyatma, Karma, Adhibhuta, Adhidaiva and Adhiyajna. Krishna then explains how remembrance of the Supreme at the time of death is connected with the spiritual direction of one's life.
The chapter contains 28 shlokas and places special emphasis on disciplined remembrance, meditation, devotion and the Imperishable Reality.
At a Glance
Sanskrit Name: अक्षरब्रह्मयोग — Akṣara Brahma Yoga
English Meaning: The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman
Chapter: 8 of 18
Total Shlokas: 28
Main Speaker: Lord Krishna
Main Question: The nature of Brahman, Adhyatma, Karma and the Divine at the time of death
Major Themes: Brahman, remembrance, meditation, Om, devotion, death, rebirth and liberation
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Arjuna's Questions
- Shloka 8.3 — Brahman, Adhyatma and Karma
- Shloka 8.5 — Remembering Krishna at Death
- Shloka 8.6 — The State of Mind at Death
- Shloka 8.7 — Remembering the Divine While Acting
- Shloka 8.9 — Meditation on the Supreme Person
- Shloka 8.10 — Yogic Concentration at Death
- Shloka 8.11 — The Imperishable Reality
- Shloka 8.13 — Om
- Shloka 8.14 — Constant Remembrance
- Shloka 8.15 — Freedom from Rebirth
- Shloka 8.17 — Cosmic Cycles
- Shloka 8.20 — The Higher Imperishable Reality
- Shloka 8.21 — The Supreme Imperishable
- Shloka 8.23 — Two Paths of Departure
- Shloka 8.24 — The Path of Light
- Shloka 8.25 — The Path of Darkness
- Shloka 8.26 — Two Paths
- Shloka 8.27 — The Yogi Is Not Deluded
- Shloka 8.28 — The Fruit of Knowing This Teaching
- Key Teachings
- Relevance in Modern Life
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Introduction
Akshara Brahma Yoga is one of the important chapters of the Bhagavad Gita dealing with the relationship between the Imperishable Reality, the individual self, action and remembrance.
The chapter begins with Arjuna asking Krishna to clarify several fundamental spiritual concepts. Krishna responds by defining these terms and then explains the significance of remembering the Divine at the time of death.
Rather than presenting death as an isolated event, the teaching connects the final remembrance with the orientation of one's consciousness throughout life.
2. Arjuna's Questions
Arjuna asks Krishna about Brahman, Adhyatma, Karma, Adhibhuta, Adhidaiva and Adhiyajna. He also asks how the Supreme is known at the time of death.
Krishna's answer establishes the conceptual foundation for the rest of the chapter and leads into teachings on remembrance, meditation, Om and liberation.
3. Shloka 8.3 — Brahman, Adhyatma and Karma
भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः॥
bhūta-bhāvodbhava-karo visargaḥ karma-saṁjñitaḥ.
Krishna explains that the Supreme Imperishable is Brahman; one's own essential nature is called Adhyatma, and the action associated with the manifestation of beings is called Karma.
4. Shloka 8.5 — Remembering Krishna at the Time of Death
यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥
yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ.
One who remembers Krishna at the time of death and leaves the body remembering Him attains His nature; there is no doubt about this.
5. Shloka 8.6 — The State of Mind at Death
तं तमेवैति कौन्तेय सदा तद्भावभावितः॥
taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ.
Whatever state of being one remembers while leaving the body, that state one attains, O Arjuna, being continually absorbed in it.
6. Shloka 8.7 — Remember the Divine While Performing Duty
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशयम्॥
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayam.
Therefore remember Me at all times and perform your duty. With mind and intellect dedicated to Me, you will attain Me without doubt.
7. Shloka 8.9 — Meditation on the Supreme Person
सर्वस्य धातारमचिन्त्यरूपमादित्यवर्णं तमसः परस्तात्॥
sarvasya dhātāram acintya-rūpam āditya-varṇaṁ tamasaḥ parastāt.
One should remember the Supreme Being who is ancient, the ruler, subtler than the smallest, the sustainer of all, whose form is beyond ordinary thought and who is radiant like the sun and beyond darkness.
8. Shloka 8.10 — Yogic Concentration at Death
भ्रुवोर्मध्ये प्राणमावेश्य सम्यक्स तं परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम्॥
bhruvor madhye prāṇam āveśya samyak sa taṁ paraṁ puruṣam upaiti divyam.
At the time of departure, with a steady mind, devotion and the strength of yoga, concentrating the life-force appropriately, the yogi attains the Supreme Divine Person.
9. Shloka 8.11 — The Imperishable Reality
यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति तत्ते पदं सङ्ग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये॥
yad icchanto brahmacaryaṁ caranti tat te padaṁ saṅgraheṇa pravakṣye.
Krishna says He will briefly explain that Imperishable Reality which the knowers of the Veda speak of, into which disciplined seekers enter, and for which they practice a life of spiritual discipline.
10. Shloka 8.13 — The Sacred Syllable Om
यः प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम्॥
yaḥ prayāti tyajan dehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim.
Uttering the single syllable Om, which represents Brahman, and remembering Krishna while leaving the body, one attains the Supreme Goal.
11. Shloka 8.14 — Constant Remembrance and Devotion
तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः॥
tasyāhaṁ sulabhaḥ pārtha nitya-yuktasya yoginaḥ.
For the yogi who constantly remembers Me with an undivided mind, I am easily attainable, O Arjuna, because that yogi remains steadfastly united with Me.
12. Shloka 8.15 — Freedom from Rebirth
नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः संसिद्धिं परमां गताः॥
nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ.
Having attained Krishna, great souls who have reached the highest perfection do not again undergo rebirth in this impermanent world described as a place of suffering.
13. Shloka 8.17 — Cosmic Cycles
रात्रिं युगसहस्रान्तां तेऽहोरात्रविदो जनाः॥
rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntāṁ te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ.
Those who understand the cosmic cycles know that a day of Brahma extends for a thousand ages and a night also extends for a thousand ages.
14. Shloka 8.20 — The Higher Imperishable Reality
यः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति॥
yaḥ sa sarveṣu bhūteṣu naśyatsu na vinaśyati.
Beyond that unmanifested state is another eternal, unmanifest Reality which does not perish even when all beings perish.
15. Shloka 8.21 — The Supreme Imperishable
यं प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम॥
yaṁ prāpya na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama.
That unmanifest Imperishable is called the Supreme Goal. Having attained it, one does not return to worldly existence; it is My Supreme Abode.
16. Shloka 8.23 — Two Paths of Departure
प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ॥
prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha.
Krishna now explains, O best of the Bharatas, the times or conditions associated with the yogis who depart without return and those who return to worldly existence.
17. Shloka 8.24 — The Path Associated with Light
तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः॥
tatra prayātā gacchanti brahma brahma-vido janāḥ.
Those who know Brahman and depart through the path associated with fire, light, daytime, the bright fortnight and the six months of the northern course of the sun attain Brahman.
18. Shloka 8.25 — The Path Associated with Darkness
तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते॥
tatra cāndramasaṁ jyotir yogī prāpya nivartate.
Those who depart through the path associated with smoke, night, the dark fortnight and the six months of the southern course reach the lunar light and return again.
19. Shloka 8.26 — Two Paths
एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुनः॥
ekayā yāty anāvṛttim anyayāvartate punaḥ.
The bright and dark paths are regarded as the two enduring courses of the world. By one a person reaches non-return; by the other one returns again.
20. Shloka 8.27 — The Yogi Is Not Deluded
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु योगयुक्तो भवर्जुन॥
tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu yoga-yukto bhavārjuna.
Knowing these two paths, the yogi is not deluded, O Arjuna. Therefore remain established in yoga at all times.
21. Shloka 8.28 — The Fruit of Knowing This Teaching
अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम्॥
atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti cādyam.
Knowing this teaching, the yogi transcends the fruits associated with the meritorious results described in the Vedas, sacrifices, austerities and gifts, and reaches the Supreme Primordial Abode.
22. Key Teachings of Akshara Brahma Yoga
- Brahman is Imperishable: Krishna introduces Brahman as the Supreme Imperishable Reality.
- Remembrance matters: The chapter repeatedly emphasizes remembrance of the Divine.
- Life and death are connected: The state of consciousness at death is presented in relation to the habitual orientation of the mind.
- Duty and remembrance can coexist: Arjuna is told to remember Krishna while performing his duty.
- Om has spiritual significance: The sacred syllable Om is associated with Brahman and remembrance.
- Devotion supports constant remembrance: Verse 8.14 emphasizes an undivided mind devoted to Krishna.
- Liberation means freedom from return: The chapter repeatedly describes the Supreme Goal as a state from which one does not return to ordinary worldly existence.
- Cosmic time is vast: Chapter 8 presents enormous cycles of cosmic time.
23. Practical Spiritual Lessons
Chapter 8 does not present spiritual remembrance as something restricted to the final moment of life. Krishna connects it with continuous practice, disciplined consciousness and dedicated action.
A practical reading of the chapter encourages a person to examine what repeatedly occupies the mind. Daily habits, values, attention and devotion gradually shape one's inner orientation.
The teaching of 8.7 is especially significant: remembrance of Krishna is combined with action rather than replacing responsibility. This makes the chapter relevant to householders and people engaged in ordinary duties as well as dedicated spiritual practitioners.
24. Akshara Brahma Yoga in Modern Life
Modern life often involves constant distraction, information overload and rapidly changing priorities. Chapter 8 offers a different emphasis: cultivate a stable inner focus while continuing to perform one's responsibilities.
The teaching can be approached through simple practices such as regular prayer, meditation, mindful remembrance, study of sacred texts and consciously dedicating one's actions to a higher purpose.
The deeper point is not merely to remember the Divine at one particular moment, but to develop a life in which remembrance, discipline and spiritual awareness become increasingly natural.
25. Conclusion
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 — Akshara Brahma Yoga presents a profound teaching on Brahman, remembrance, meditation, Om, death and liberation.
Krishna explains that spiritual consciousness is not something separate from daily life. Arjuna is instructed to remember the Divine while performing his duty, showing how action and spiritual awareness can be integrated.
The chapter ultimately directs the seeker toward the Imperishable Reality and the Supreme Goal beyond repeated worldly existence. Its central message is the cultivation of steady remembrance, devotion, disciplined awareness and knowledge of the eternal.
26. Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 8 is called Akshara Brahma Yoga, meaning the Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 contains 28 shlokas.
The chapter discusses Brahman, Adhyatma, Karma, remembrance of the Divine, meditation, Om, death, liberation and the two paths of departure.
Akshara means imperishable or undecaying. In Chapter 8, Krishna uses the term in relation to the Supreme Imperishable Reality.
In verse 8.5, Krishna teaches that one who remembers Him at the time of death attains His divine nature.
Verse 8.6 teaches that the state remembered at the time of death is connected with what one has habitually cultivated throughout life.
It teaches Arjuna to remember Krishna continuously while also performing his duty, with mind and intellect dedicated to Him.
Verse 8.13 connects the single syllable Om with Brahman and with remembrance of Krishna at the time of leaving the body.
It teaches that Krishna is easily attainable for the yogi who remembers Him constantly with an undivided mind.
Yes. The chapter discusses return to worldly existence and describes liberation as reaching a state from which one does not return.
Krishna describes Brahman as the Supreme Imperishable Reality.
In verse 8.3, Krishna explains Adhyatma in relation to the essential nature or self.
In verse 8.3, Krishna connects Karma with the process associated with the manifestation or coming into being of creatures.
Verses 8.23–8.26 describe two paths of departure, traditionally described through imagery of light and darkness, associated with non-return and return respectively.
Verse 8.24 describes a path associated with fire, light, day, the bright fortnight and the northern course of the sun. Those who know Brahman and depart through this path are said to attain Brahman.
Verse 8.25 describes a contrasting path associated with smoke, night, the dark fortnight and the southern course of the sun, leading to return.
It describes an eternal unmanifest Reality beyond the changing manifested and unmanifested states, which remains when beings undergo dissolution.
Verse 8.17 describes the day and night of Brahma using enormous cycles of cosmic time, each associated with a thousand yugas.
The ultimate goal is the Supreme Imperishable Reality, associated with liberation and freedom from repeated worldly existence.
A central teaching is to cultivate constant remembrance of the Divine, perform one's responsibilities with a dedicated mind, develop spiritual discipline and seek the Imperishable Reality.
