Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.10 प्रयाणकाले मनसाऽचलेन
श्लोक 8.10
प्रयाणकाले मनसाऽचलेन
भक्त्या युक्तो योगबलेन चैव ।
भ्रुवोर्मध्ये प्राणमावेश्य सम्यक्
स तं परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम् ॥
prayāṇakāle manasā'calena
bhaktyā yukto yogabalena caiva |
bhruvormadhye prāṇamāveśya samyak
sa taṃ paraṃ puruṣamupaiti divyam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो मृत्यु के समय अचल मन से, भक्ति और योग के बल से युक्त होकर, प्राण को दोनों भौंहों के बीच भली-भाँति स्थिर करता है, वह उस परम दिव्य पुरुष को प्राप्त होता है।
Meaning in English
At the time of departure, with an unwavering mind, filled with devotion and by the strength of yoga, fixing the life-breath fully between the eyebrows, one reaches that supreme, divine Person.
Bhagavad Gita 8.10 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रयाणकाले | prayāṇa-kāle | at the time of departure |
| मनसा अचलेन | manasā acalena | with an unwavering mind |
| भक्त्या युक्तः | bhaktyā yuktaḥ | joined with devotion |
| योगबलेन | yoga-balena | by the power of yoga |
| च एव | ca eva | and also |
| भ्रुवोः मध्ये | bhruvoḥ madhye | between the eyebrows |
| प्राणम् | prāṇam | the life-breath |
| आवेश्य सम्यक् | āveśya samyak | fixing fully |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| तम् परम् पुरुषम् | tam param puruṣam | that supreme Person |
| उपैति | upaiti | attains |
| दिव्यम् | divyam | divine |
Explanation
Completing the thought of 8.9: at the time of death, with a mind held steady, filled with devotion and strengthened by the power of yoga, fixing the life-breath fully between the eyebrows, such a person reaches that supreme, divine Person.
Krishna combines three elements here: a steady mind, devotion, and yogic discipline of the breath. The point between the eyebrows is a traditional centre of concentration in yoga, mentioned already in 5.27. Shankara says the yogi first masters the heart centre and then draws the breath upward. Ramanuja emphasises that bhakti is the essential element and the yogic technique supports it. Many modern teachers, including Aurobindo, read the verse less as a death-bed technique than as the fruit of a lifetime of inner concentration.
भावार्थ
मृत्यु के समय जो मनुष्य अचल मन से, भक्ति और योगबल से युक्त होकर प्राण को भौंहों के बीच भली-भाँति स्थापित करता है, वह उस दिव्य परम पुरुष को प्राप्त होता है।
Living it today
Calm, focused breathing is a gift you can give yourself in any hard moment. Practise it on ordinary days so it is there when needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.10?
Completing the thought of 8.9: at the time of death, with a mind held steady, filled with devotion and strengthened by the power of yoga, fixing the life-breath fully between the eyebrows, such a person reaches that supreme, divine Person.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.10?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.10 in daily life?
Calm, focused breathing is a gift you can give yourself in any hard moment. Practise it on ordinary days so it is there when needed.
Reflected on verse 8.10?
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