In Bhagavad Gita 8.11, Krishna promises to describe briefly the goal that knowers of the Veda call imperishable, which ascetics free from passion enter, and for which seekers practise celibacy.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति
विशन्ति यद्यतयो वीतरागाः
यदिच्छन्तो ब्रह्मचर्यं चरन्ति
तत्ते पदं सङ्ग्रहेण प्रवक्ष्ये ॥ ८-११ ॥
yadakṣaraṃ vedavido vadanti
viśanti yadyatayo vītarāgāḥ
yadicchanto brahmacaryaṃ caranti
tatte padaṃ saṅgraheṇa pravakṣye
English transliteration yadaksharam vedavido vadanti
vishanti yadyatayo veetaraagaah
yadichchhanto brahmacharyam charanti
tatte padam sangrahena pravakshye ॥ 8.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
That which the knowers of the Veda call the Imperishable, which ascetics free from passion enter, and desiring which people practise brahmacharya, that goal I shall declare to you briefly.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यत् yat | which |
| अक्षरम् akṣaram | the Imperishable |
| वेदविदः vedavidaḥ | knowers of the Veda veda (Veda) + vidaḥ (knowers) |
| वदन्ति vadanti | call |
| विशन्ति viśanti | enter |
| यत् yat | which |
| यतयः yatayaḥ | ascetics |
| वीतरागाः vītarāgāḥ | free from passion vīta (free) + rāgāḥ (passion) |
| यत् yat | which |
| इच्छन्तः icchantaḥ | desiring |
| ब्रह्मचर्यम् brahmacaryam | brahmacharya, disciplined chastity |
| चरन्ति caranti | practise |
| तत् tat | that |
| ते te | to you |
| पदम् padam | goal |
| सङ्ग्रहेण saṅgraheṇa | briefly |
| प्रवक्ष्ये pravakṣye | I shall declare |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–da–kṣa–raṃ ve–da–vi–do va–dan–ti 11 syllables ya-da-ksha-ram ve-da-vi-do va-dan-ti
- vi–śan–ti yad–ya–ta–yo vī–ta–rā–gāḥ | 11 syllables vi-shan-ti yad-ya-ta-yo vee-ta-raa-gaah
- ya–dic–chan–to brah–ma–car–yaṃ ca–ran–ti 11 syllables ya-dich-chhan-to brah-ma-char-yam cha-ran-ti
- tat–te pa–daṃ saṅ–gra–he–ṇa pra–vakṣ–ye || 8-11 11 syllables tat-te pa-dam san-gra-he-na pra-vaksh-ye
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 8 Verse 11
Context
Krishna introduces the practice of departing with Om (8.11–8.13).
Meaning
Krishna describes the supreme goal from three angles: the scholars of the Veda call it akṣara, the Imperishable; vītarāga ascetics, free from attachment, enter into it; and seekers practise brahmacarya, a disciplined life of self-restraint, to attain it. He now promises to describe the way to it briefly.
The same goal is approached by study, renunciation and discipline. Each tradition of practice is a different door to the same imperishable reality.
In Practice
Consider which approach draws you most: study, detachment or disciplined living. Strengthen it this week.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (The Imperishable Absolute). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.