Bhagavad Gita · Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Imperishable Absolute
Chapter 8, Verse 21
"Bhagavad Gita 8.21" — meaning and explanation.
अव्यक्तोऽक्षर इत्युक्तस्तमाहुः परमां गतिम् | यं प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम
avyakto.akṣara ityuktastamāhuḥ paramāṃ gatim . yaṃ prāpya na nivartante taddhāma paramaṃ mama
Meaning
8.21 What is called the Unmanifested and the Imperishable, That they say is the highest goal. They who reach It do not return (to this Samsara). That is My highest abode (place or state).
।।8.21।। जो अव्यक्त अक्षर कहा गया है, वही परम गति (लक्ष्य) है। जिसे प्राप्त होकर (साधकगण) पुनः (संसार को) नहीं लौटते, वह मेरा परम धाम है।।
Explanation
8.21 अव्यक्तः unmanifested? अक्षरः imperishable? इति thus? उक्तः called? तम् That? आहुः (they) say? परमाम् the highest? गतिम् goal (path)? यम् which? प्राप्य having reached? न not? निवर्तन्ते return? तत् that? धाम abode (place or state)? परमम् highest? मम My.Commentary Para Brahman is called the Unmanifested because It cannot be perceived by the senses. It is called the Imperishable also. It is allpervading? allpermeating and interpenetrating. Para Brahman is the highest Goal. There is nothing higher than It. This is the true nondual state free from all sorts of limiting adjuncts. The attainment of Brahmaloka (the region of the Creator) etc.? is inferior to this. Only by realising the Self is one liberated from Samsara. (Cf.XII.3?XV.6)
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 8.21 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, verse 21, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 8.21
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 8.21 mean?
8.21 What is called the Unmanifested and the Imperishable, That they say is the highest goal. They who reach It do not return (to this Samsara). That is My highest abode (place or state).
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 8.21 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, verse 21, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.