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Chapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme · 28 verses

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Soul & knowledgeChapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme
8.38.5

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 8.4

Brahman, self, karma and the Lord of sacrifice

अधिभूतं क्षरो भाव: पुरुषश्चाधिदैवतम् ।

अधियज्ञोऽहमेवात्र देहे देहभृतां वर ॥ ४ ॥

adhibhūtaṁ kṣaro bhāvaḥ

puruṣaś cādhidaivatam

adhiyajño ’ham evātra

dehe deha-bhṛtāṁ vara

Translation

O best of the embodied beings, the physical nature, which is constantly changing, is called adhibhūta [the material manifestation]. The universal form of the Lord, which includes all the demigods, like those of the sun and moon, is called adhidaiva. And I, the Supreme Lord, represented as the Supersoul in the heart of every embodied being, am called adhiyajña [the Lord of sacrifice].

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.

Nature, Universal Form, and Supersoul

  1. 1Changing physical nature is adhibhūta; the Lord’s universal form is adhidaiva; and the Lord as the Supersoul in every heart is adhiyajña.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the Supersoul is not different from Kṛṣṇa. He witnesses the individual soul’s actions and allows the soul to act freely.
  3. 3Serve Kṛṣṇa with devotion. For the pure devotee serving Him, the roles of these manifestations of the Lord become clear.

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.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: ātmā, jñāna.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 8.4 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.

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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 8.3Brahman, 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 8.4 — 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.