श्री भगवानुवाचअक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते ।
भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ॥
भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
श्रीभगवान् बोले परम अक्षर ब्रह्म है और जीवका अपना जो होनापन है, उसको अध्यात्म कहते हैं । प्राणियों का उद्भव सत्ता को प्रकट करनेवाला जो त्याग है उसको कर्म कहा जाता है ॥
English
The imperishable is the supreme reality. One's own nature is called the inner self. The offering that brings beings into existence is called action.
What this verse means
The imperishable is the highest reality. Inner nature is called the inner self, and the act that brings beings into existence is called action.
Context & commentary
Arjuna has asked Krishna to define the terms behind existence before death arrives on the battlefield. Krishna begins by naming the imperishable reality, the inner nature of living beings, and the creative act that produces embodied life.
Why this verse still matters
You are trying to name what matters while everything is already moving toward a hard decision. Before you can act cleanly, you need to know what is lasting, what is your nature, and what is simply an act.
The takeaway
The world becomes clearer when you see the difference between what never changes, what you are, and what you do.
Word-by-word translation
अक्षरम् (imperishable) / ब्रह्म (supreme reality) / परमम् (highest) / स्वभावः (one's own nature) / अध्यात्मम् (inner self) / उच्यते (is called) / भूतभावोद्भवकरः (that which brings beings into existence) / विसर्गः (offering/releasing) / कर्मसंज्ञितः (called action)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Imperishable Absolute, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: akshara (12 verses), brahman (10 verses)