Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.11 यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति
श्लोक 8.11
यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति
विशन्ति यद्यतयो वीतरागाः ।
यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति
तत्ते पदं संग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये ॥
yadakṣaraṃ vedavido vadanti
viśanti yadyatayo vītarāgāḥ |
yadicchanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti
tatte padaṃ saṃgraheṇa pravakṣye ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
वेद जानने वाले जिसे अक्षर कहते हैं, आसक्ति-रहित संन्यासी जिसमें प्रवेश करते हैं, और जिसे पाने की इच्छा से लोग ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करते हैं, उस पद को मैं तुम्हें संक्षेप में बताऊँगा।
Meaning in English
That which knowers of the Vedas call the Imperishable, which ascetics free from attachment enter, and desiring which people practise celibacy - that goal I will now briefly explain to you.
Bhagavad Gita 8.11 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यत् अक्षरम् | yat akṣaram | that imperishable which |
| वेदविदः | veda-vidaḥ | the knowers of the Vedas |
| वदन्ति | vadanti | declare |
| विशन्ति | viśanti | enter |
| यत् | yat | which |
| यतयः | yatayaḥ | ascetics, striving renunciants |
| वीतरागाः | vīta-rāgāḥ | free from passion |
| यत् इच्छन्तः | yat icchantaḥ | desiring which |
| ब्रह्मचर्यम् चरन्ति | brahmacaryam caranti | they practise celibate discipline |
| तत् ते पदम् | tat te padam | that goal to you |
| संग्रहेण | saṃgraheṇa | briefly |
| प्रवक्ष्ये | pravakṣye | I shall declare |
Explanation
That which the knowers of the Veda call the Imperishable, which ascetics free from passion enter, and for the sake of which seekers practise brahmacharya, that goal I will now explain to you briefly. Krishna is about to name that goal and the way to reach it.
Krishna introduces the teaching on Om and yogic departure that follows in 8.12–13. The wording closely resembles the Katha Upanishad (1.2.15), where Yama says he will briefly declare the goal that all the Vedas proclaim and for which people practise brahmacharya, and then names it as Om. Shankara points to this Upanishadic source. Ramanuja reads the verse as describing the path of those who seek the pure self as their goal. The verse shows the Gita gathering up the wisdom of the Upanishads.
भावार्थ
वेद के जानने वाले जिसे अक्षर कहते हैं, आसक्ति-रहित यति जिसमें प्रवेश करते हैं, और जिसकी इच्छा से साधक ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करते हैं, उस परम पद को मैं तुम्हें संक्षेप में बताऊँगा।
Living it today
Every discipline in your life makes more sense when you know what it serves. Keep the goal in view and the effort becomes lighter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.11?
That which the knowers of the Veda call the Imperishable, which ascetics free from passion enter, and for the sake of which seekers practise brahmacharya, that goal I will now explain to you briefly. Krishna is about to name that goal and the way to reach it.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.11?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.11 in daily life?
Every discipline in your life makes more sense when you know what it serves. Keep the goal in view and the effort becomes lighter.
Reflected on verse 8.11?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.