The Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 8

The Path to the Imperishable Brahman

On 5th July 2020, my dear Dad passed away and moved on to the next realm. The Bhagavad Gita, a book sacred to Hinduism, was by far his most cherished text and he studied it up to the very end. In his memory, I am committing to write 18 pieces - one for each chapter - and will attempt to capture the essence of this great text. No prior knowledge of Hinduism is necessary and I shall steer clear of jargon as much as possible. If you haven’t already, do subscribe below to get all the pieces straight to your inbox. Lastly if you are just joining and would like to start at the beginning, click here for Chapter 1

A quick recap

In Chapter 7 Krishna elaborates on his divine nature and how most people cannot recognise this. He touches upon the concept of Maya and how it often confuses people from the ultimate reality. He explains all the different ways his divine nature is seen and says the wise attain the ultimate reality by focusing on Him.

The Path to the Imperishable Brahman

Arjuna asks Krishna:

“What is Brahman? What is Adhyatma? What is Karma? What is Adhibhuta and what is Adhidaiva? Who is Adhiyajna here, and how is he situated within this body? How do people with self-control know You at the time of death?”

Krishna replied:

The Akshara (Imperishable) is the Ultimate Brahman. Svabhava (the own nature) is the Self within every living being. What causes the existence of all beings - is creation in the name of Karma.

Note: Brahman is the Supreme Reality beyond space, time and causation. It cannot be perceived by the senses and intellect and is said to be the Supreme. Brahman is unaffected by change and therefore imperishable. It is embodied in living beings as the Jivatma or Adhyatma. This Divine presence of the Brahman present everywhere and in every being, both living and non living is termed Adhyatma. Adhibhuta refers to the many material forms of the Self. For example the human body is one of many such forms. The Self/Soul however dwells in such forms for a limited period of time and is unaffected by the changes that affect the physical forms. Adhidaiva refers to the fact that the Lord is the Supreme Controller of the Universe. Even a leaf falls because He wills it.

Krishna continues:

“The physical nature which is constantly changing is called Adhibhuta. The Universal form of the Lord which includes all Devas is called Adhidaiva. And I am Adhiyajna the Supreme Lord, present as the Supreme Soul in the heart of every embodied being. Whoever at the time of Death remembers Me, attains My state. There is no doubt about this.”

“One who meditates at the time of Death with devotion and the power of Yoga with a steady mind fixed on the Supreme and concentrating the Prana (life air) between the eyebrows attains the Supreme.”

“I will briefly tell you about the Eternal State which the knowers of the Vedas call Imperishable, and into which the ascetics free of desire enter. Desiring this state, those who are freed from passion follow Brahmacharya. With thoughts fixed on Me, having closed down all the gates of the body (senses), confining the mind firmly in the heart and fixing the life energy (Prana) at the crown of the head uttering the sacred syllable “Om” which signifies Brahman, a person who sheds his body in this manner attains the Supreme Goal.”

“Oh Arjuna, I am easily attainable to the ever-steadfast Yogi, who constantly remembers Me at all times with undivided attention. Having attained Me, the Great Souls are no longer subject to rebirth in this impermanent abode for they have attained perfection.”

“When the day of Brahma dawns, all manifest beings emerge from the unmanifest and when the night of Brahma approaches they are reabsorbed into the unmanifest. Beyond this manifest and unmanifest aspects of the creations there is another eternal unmanifest which does not perish when other creations perish. That unmanifest realm is said to be imperishable. It is the Highest Goal. Those who attain this, will not return to this abode.”

“There are two eternal ways of passing from this world, the bright and the dark. By bright one does not return, and by dark one returns.”

Note: After death, Souls pass through either of two paths known as Devayana (path of light) or Pitrayana (path of smoke). The former leads the Soul to higher regions and the latter keeps one lingering and lagging behind. The two paths mentioned here are symbolic of knowledge and ignorance. The Soul pursuing the path of knowledge is drawn progressively into the brilliance of the Self (Atman). The other Soul steeped in ignorance stagnates and deteriorates.

Krishna concludes:

“A Yogi who knows these two paths is never deluded. Therefore, Arjuna be steadfast in Yoga. The Yogi who realises this eternal truth transcends the fruits of meritorious deeds associated with the study of the Vedas, sacrifices, austerities and charities, and reaches the ultimate primordial Abode.”

Parting thoughts

In this Chapter we look further into the nature of the Soul and the Ultimate Reality known in Hinduism as Brahman. Brahman is present in each and every living being as the Soul or Atma.

Krishna states that is possible to break free of the cycle of birth and rebirth by focusing the mind on the pursuit of the Supreme. Ultimately attaining Moksha is the supreme goal.

A person of yoga meditates on the nature of the Self and God as existing beyond the body, mind, and senses - as a supreme, unchanging Soul. Through meditating upon this Supreme Soul or Krishna, that person will achieve freedom. Krishna explains that true freedom is "union with the deathless," or God.

Ready to proceed? Click here for Chapter 9

Deepak