Bhagavad Gita · Verse 8.5
Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (अक्षर ब्रह्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम् । यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः ॥५॥
antakāle ca māmeva smaranmuktvā kalevaram | yaḥ prayāti sa madbhāvaṃ yāti nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ ||5||
Complete Shloka Translation
Whoever departs after leaving the body, remembering Me alone at the final moment, attains My state; there is no doubt about this.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अन्त-काले च | anta-kāle ca | and at the final moment of death |
| माम् एव | mām eva | Me alone |
| स्मरन् | smaran | remembering and meditating upon |
| मुक्त्वा | muktvā | relinquishing and leaving |
| कलेवरम् | kalevaram | the physical mortal body |
| यः प्रयाति | yaḥ prayāti | whoever departs |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| मत्-भावम् | mat-bhāvam | My divine transcendent nature |
| याति | yāti | attains without doubt |
| न अस्ति अत्र संशयः | na asti atra saṁśayaḥ | there is no doubt in this truth |
and at the final moment of death
Me alone
remembering and meditating upon
relinquishing and leaving
the physical mortal body
whoever departs
he
My divine transcendent nature
attains without doubt
there is no doubt in this truth
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna answers the question about knowing Him at departure. Attaining His state is a spiritual promise whose philosophical meaning varies, and the next verses connect final remembrance with lifelong practice.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"What you remember regularly can express what you hold most deeply."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What recurring remembrance expresses your deepest commitment?
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.