Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.2 अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्र देहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन
श्लोक 8.2
अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्र देहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन ।
प्रयाणकाले च कथं ज्ञेयोऽसि नियतात्मभिः ॥
adhiyajñaḥ kathaṃ ko'tra dehe'sminmadhusūdana |
prayāṇakāle ca kathaṃ jñeyo'si niyatātmabhiḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे मधुसूदन (मधु दैत्य को मारने वाले), इस शरीर में अधियज्ञ कौन है और कैसे है? और संयमित मन वाले लोग मृत्यु के समय आपको कैसे जानते हैं?
Meaning in English
O Madhusudana (slayer of Madhu), who is the lord of sacrifice (adhiyajna) here in this body, and how? And how are You to be known at the time of death by those of disciplined mind?
Bhagavad Gita 8.2 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अधियज्ञः | adhiyajñaḥ | the lord of sacrifice (adhiyajna) |
| कथम् | katham | how, in what form |
| कः | kaḥ | who |
| अत्र | atra | here |
| देहे अस्मिन् | dehe asmin | in this body |
| मधुसूदन | madhusūdana | O slayer of Madhu |
| प्रयाणकाले | prayāṇa-kāle | at the time of departure (death) |
| च | ca | and |
| कथम् | katham | how |
| ज्ञेयः असि | jñeyaḥ asi | are you to be known |
| नियतात्मभिः | niyata-ātmabhiḥ | by the self-controlled |
Explanation
Who is the adhiyajna, the lord of sacrifice, here in this body, and in what way does he dwell in it, O Madhusudana? And at the time of death, how are you to be known by those who have mastered themselves?
These are Arjuna's last two questions, completing the list begun in 8.1. The final one, about knowing God at the moment of death, sets the theme for the whole chapter: Krishna will go on to teach steady remembrance and the paths the soul takes after death. Shankara notes that the adhiyajna is the Lord present within the body as the inner witness of all offerings. Ramanuja stresses that the question concerns the disciplined devotee, whose whole life prepares for that final moment.
भावार्थ
हे मधुसूदन, इस शरीर में अधियज्ञ कौन है और वह किस प्रकार है? और संयमी पुरुषों द्वारा मृत्यु के समय आप किस प्रकार जाने जाते हैं? यही प्रश्न इस पूरे अध्याय का मुख्य विषय है।
Living it today
The question of how we will face the end is worth asking now, not later. Living with that awareness clarifies what really matters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.2?
Who is the adhiyajna, the lord of sacrifice, here in this body, and in what way does he dwell in it, O Madhusudana? And at the time of death, how are you to be known by those who have mastered themselves?
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.2?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.2 in daily life?
The question of how we will face the end is worth asking now, not later. Living with that awareness clarifies what really matters.
Reflected on verse 8.2?
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