Jiva Vidya

Gita Library / Akshara-Brahma Yoga

Chapter 8, Verse 13

ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन् | य: प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम् ॥13॥
om ity ekākṣaraṁ brahma vyāharan mām anusmaran | yaḥ prayāti tyajan dehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim
"Uttering the single syllable Om, which is the symbol of Brahman, and remembering Me at the time of departing the body, one attains the supreme goal."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 8.13 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.

Detailed Meaning

This verse describes the technique of 'Anta-kala' (the final moment). Krishna identifies the sacred syllable 'OM' (Pranav) as the sound manifestation of the Absolute Truth (Brahman). To reach the 'Paramāṁ Gatim' (Supreme Goal), one must synchronize three actions: the vocalization of the sacred sound (Vyāharan), the mental remembrance of the Divine (Anusmaran), and the physical act of departure (Tyajan-deham). While the verse specifically mentions the impersonal Brahman through Om, the commentary highlights that for Bhaktas, this focus translates into the personal names and forms of the Lord. The 'final test' of death is passed by those who have cultivated a lifetime of 'Abhyasa' (practice), ensuring the mind naturally gravitates toward the Divine even amidst the intense pain of physical transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core message of Gita 8.13?
Uttering the single syllable Om, which is the symbol of Brahman, and remembering Me at the time of departing the body, one attains the supreme goal.

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