Bhagavad Gita · Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman
Chapter 8, Verse 7
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च। मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशयम्॥
tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu mām anusmara yudhya ca mayy arpita-mano-buddhir mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayam
Meaning
Therefore, at all times remember Me and carry out your duty. With your mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will undoubtedly attain Me.
इसलिए हे अर्जुन, सभी समयों में मेरा स्मरण करो और युद्ध भी करो। मुझमें मन और बुद्धि अर्पित करने से तुम निःसंदेह मुझे ही प्राप्त होगे।
Explanation
This verse gives a direct, practical instruction that resolves a tension the previous verse ([8.5](/bhagavad-gita/chapter-8/verse-5/)) might raise: if remembering the divine at the moment of death matters so much, does that mean withdrawing from worldly responsibility to focus on remembrance? Krishna's answer here is clear: no — remember constantly and continue to act and fulfill one's duty at the same time. The two aren't in conflict. Constant remembrance isn't presented as a replacement for engaged action, but as something that can run alongside it, eventually becoming so consistent that it doesn't need to be interrupted for anything, including a battle.
Life Lesson
This verse pushes back on the idea that spiritual practice requires stepping away from ordinary responsibilities. It suggests instead that the goal is integration — holding onto what matters most even while fully engaged in demanding, active work, rather than treating the two as competing priorities that force a choice.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in Chapter 8, directly following his teaching on the significance of remembrance at the time of death in verse 5. Here he clarifies that this remembrance is meant to be continuous and compatible with active duty, not a separate, isolated practice.
Why this verse matters
This verse is often cited as the Gita’s clearest rejection of the idea that spirituality and worldly engagement are inherently at odds — a recurring theme throughout the text, stated here in its most direct, practical form.
Related verses
Read directly after Chapter 8, Verse 5, which this verse completes by explaining how constant remembrance is meant to be practiced in daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 8.7 mean?
Therefore, at all times remember Me and carry out your duty. With your mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will undoubtedly attain Me.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
This verse pushes back on the idea that spiritual practice requires stepping away from ordinary responsibilities. It suggests instead that the goal is integration — holding onto what matters most even while fully engaged in demanding, active work, rather than treating the two as competing priorities that force a choice.
What is the context of this verse?
Spoken by Krishna in Chapter 8, directly following his teaching on the significance of remembrance at the time of death in verse 5. Here he clarifies that this remembrance is meant to be continuous and compatible with active duty, not a separate, isolated practice.