Bhagavad Gita · Verse 8.1
Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (अक्षर ब्रह्मयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम । अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥१॥
kiṃ tadbrahma kimadhyātmaṃ kiṃ karma puruṣottama | adhibhūtaṃ ca kiṃ proktamadhidaivaṃ kimucyate ||1||
Complete Shloka Translation
O Supreme Person, what is Brahman? What is adhyatma? What is karma? What is called adhibhuta, and what is termed adhidaiva?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ब्रह्म | brahma | Brahman |
| अध्यात्मम् | adhyātmam | adhyatma, concerning the self |
| किं | kiṃ | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| तद्ब्रह्म | tadbrahma | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| किमध्यात्मं | kimadhyātmaṃ | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| कर्म | karma | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| पुरुषोत्तम | puruṣottama | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| अधिभूतं | adhibhūtaṃ | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| प्रोक्तमधिदैवं | kiṃ | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
| किमुच्यते | proktamadhidaivaṃ | [term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah... |
Brahman
adhyatma, concerning the self
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
[term] in context of O Supreme Person, what is Brah...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Arjuna asks for the meaning of terms introduced at the close of Chapter 7. His questions distinguish the subjects before Krishna explains their relationships.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Clear questions make space for a deeper understanding."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which term would you like to understand before studying further?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.