Akshara Brahma Yoga · Verse 16

Bhagavad Gita 8.16

Even the highest attainments return, but union with Krishna does not.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन ।
मामुपेत्य तु कौन्तेय पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे अर्जुन ब्रह्मलोकतक सभी लोक पुनरावर्ती है परन्तु हे कौन्तेय मुझे प्राप्त होनेपर पुनर्जन्म नहीं होता ॥
English
All worlds up to Brahma's realm return again, Arjuna. But having reached me, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth.

What this verse means

Even the highest realms are temporary and lead back into rebirth. Only reaching Krishna ends that cycle completely.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands frozen before war. Krishna has already spoken of remembrance and liberation, and now he sharpens the point: even the highest heavens are not final. Only reaching him ends the cycle of return.

Why this verse still matters

You finally get what you wanted, and the relief lasts a week. Then the old restlessness comes back. This verse points to a security that does not wear out.

The takeaway

There is relief in knowing that the deepest security is beyond every passing world.

Word-by-word translation

आब्रह्मभुवनात् (up to the world of Brahma) / लोकाः (worlds) / पुनरावर्तिनः (returning again) / अर्जुन (Arjuna) / माम् (me) / उपेत्य (having reached) / तु (but) / कौन्तेय (son of Kunti) / पुनर्जन्म (rebirth) / न (not) / विद्यते (exists)

Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), krishna (31 verses)

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