Bhagavad Gita · Verse 8.28
Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (अक्षर ब्रह्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टम् । अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम् ॥२८॥
vedeṣu yajñeṣu tapaḥsu caiva dāneṣu yatpuṇyaphalaṃ pradiṣṭam | atyeti tatsarvamidaṃ viditvā yogī paraṃ sthānamupaiti cādyam ||28||
Complete Shloka Translation
Knowing this, the yogi goes beyond all the meritorious fruits promised for Vedic study, sacrifices, austerities and giving, and reaches the supreme, primal abode.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पुण्यफलम् | puṇyaphalam | meritorious fruit |
| आद्यम् | ādyam | primal or original |
| वेदेषु | vedeṣu | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| यज्ञेषु | yajñeṣu | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| तपःसु | tapaḥsu | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| चैव | caiva | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| दानेषु | dāneṣu | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| यत्पुण्यफलं | yatpuṇyaphalaṃ | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| प्रदिष्टम् | pradiṣṭam | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| अत्येति | atyeti | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| तत्सर्वमिदं | tatsarvamidaṃ | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| विदित्वा | viditvā | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| योगी | yogī | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| परं | paraṃ | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| स्थानमुपैति | sthānamupaiti | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| चाद्यम् | cādyam | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
| २८ | cādyam | [term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be... |
meritorious fruit
primal or original
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
[term] in context of Knowing this, the yogi goes be...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The closing verse places the supreme attainment beyond limited meritorious rewards. Going beyond their fruits does not mean dismissing study, sacrifice, discipline or generosity; the focus is the yogi's ultimate destination.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Let worthy practices serve a deeper aim beyond the rewards they bring."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can a worthy practice serve an aim beyond its reward?
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.