अक्षर ब्रह्म योग The Yoga of Imperishable Brahman

The Bhagwad Gita — Chapter 8

Sanjay Mehta

Arjun asks Shri Krishna to define Brahman Adhyatm (self), Karma (action), Adhibhuta (physical elements), Adhidaiva (divine elements), and Adhiyajna (indweller in the body who experiences the benefit of Yajna).  He also asks, ‘how does one remember Bhagwan when it is time for body to leave?’

Bhagwan replied – The imperishable, the Supreme is Brahman.  The creative force that causes the birth of all beings is called Karma.  All perishable objects are called Adhibhuta.  The total consciousness is called Adhidaiva.  Ishwar, who is the seed of the universe, is Adhiyajna.  Whoever fixes his mind and intellect on me, meditates while keeping me in mind, and continues to perform his/her Swa-Dharma will, without a doubt, remember me at the time of death.

A person who has a steady mind and constantly meditates on me with full devotion, attains the supreme goal at the time of death.

अनन्यचेताः सततं यो माँ स्मरति नित्यशः ;
तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः || १४ ||

Ananyachetaah satatam yo maam smarati nityashah ;
Tasyaaham sulabhah paratha nityayuktasy yoginah ||14||

I am easily attainable by the ever-steadfast yogi, the one who constantly thinks of me.  Having attained me, these mahatmas (unalloyed individuals) are not subject to re-birth.

There are two eternal paths:  the path of never return and the path of return.  The seeker, who takes the practice stated above, becomes one with Brahman and never returns to human birth.  He/She is not bound to the journey of misery and grief, caused by the body and mind complex (ahamkara) association.

वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव, दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टमः ;
अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा, योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम् || २८ ||

Vedeshu yajneshu tapahsu chaiva, Daaneshu yat punyaphalam pradishtam;
Atyeti tatsarvam idam viditwaa, Yogee param sthaanamupati chaadyam ||28||

The yogis, who know this profound truth (be steadfast in Upaasana Yoga), gain merit far and beyond the fruits of Vedic rituals, the study of the Vedic rituals, the study of the Vedas, performance of sacrifices, austerities, and charities.  These merits (punyas) allow the yogis to reach the Supreme abode (moksha).

Essence

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