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Chapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme · 28 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme
8.28.4

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 8.3

Brahman, self, karma and the Lord of sacrifice

श्रीभगवानुवाच

अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते ।

भूतभावोद्भ‍वकरो विसर्ग: कर्मसंज्ञित: ॥ ३ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

akṣaraṁ brahma paramaṁ

svabhāvo ’dhyātmam ucyate

bhūta-bhāvodbhava-karo

visargaḥ karma-saṁjñitaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The indestructible, transcendental living entity is called Brahman, and his eternal nature is called adhyātma, the self. Action pertaining to the development of the material bodies of the living entities is called karma, or fruitive activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

The Self and Karma

  1. 1The living being is indestructible Brahman; his eternal nature is adhyātma. Karma is action that develops material bodies.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the living being is distinct from the Supreme Lord. His spiritual position is to serve the Supreme.
  3. 3Practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness to prepare to return to Godhead, rather than seek temporary heavenly enjoyment.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 8, Attaining the Supreme: brahman, self, karma and the lord of sacrifice.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Discern the eternal self from the temporary.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 8.3 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to soul & knowledge?

Practice

Spend five minutes reflecting on what in you does not change.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 8.4Brahman, self, karma and the Lord of sacrificeBG 2.13The self endures bodily changeBG 4.34The humility of real inquiry

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 8.3 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.