Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Verse 3 Meaning

The Blessed Lord said, "Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme; its essential nature is called Self-knowledge; the offering (to the gods) that causes the existence and manifestation of beings and sustains them is called action."

BG 8.3

श्री भगवानुवाच अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते। भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः

śhrī bhagavān uvācha akṣharaṁ brahma paramaṁ svabhāvo ’dhyātmam uchyate bhūta-bhāvodbhava-karo visargaḥ karma-sanjñitaḥ

Meaning

The Blessed Lord said, "Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme; its essential nature is called Self-knowledge; the offering (to the gods) that causes the existence and manifestation of beings and sustains them is called action."

Available in 28 languages

Explanation & Life Application

This verse from Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita highlights a practical insight: The Blessed Lord said, "Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme; its essential nature is called Self-knowledge; the offering (to the gods) that causes the existence and manifestation of beings and sustains them is called action.

In The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman (Aksara Brahma Yoga), Krishna explains The nature of the Supreme Being and what happens to the soul at the time of death.

— Explained by the Nitya Team

Chapter Context

The nature of the Supreme Being and what happens to the soul at the time of death.

Key themes in this chapter include Death, Remembrance, Liberation.

When to Apply This Verse

  • •When you need steadiness while dealing with death
  • •When practicing remembrance amid uncertainty
  • •When applying liberation to real-life choices

Verse FAQs

What is the main idea of Bhagavad Gita 8.3?
The Blessed Lord said, "Brahman is the Imperishable, the Supreme; its essential nature is called Self-knowledge; the offering (to the gods) that causes the existence and manifestation of beings and sustains them is called action. This verse emphasizes death with clarity and purpose.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.3 in daily life?
Apply this teaching when making choices or doing your duties. Focus on remembrance and keep your mind steady regardless of outcomes.

Related Verses

BG 8.5

And whoever, leaving their body, goes forth remembering Me alone at the time of death, they will attain My Being; there is no doubt about this.

BG 8.6

Whoever at the end leaves the body, thinking of any being, to that being only does he go, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), due to his constant thought of that being.

BG 1.1

Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"

Read in Other Languages

EnglishHindiMarathiGujarati
← Back to Chapter 8: The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman

Build a daily reading habit with Nitya

Get the Free App