In Bhagavad Gita 8.15, Krishna says that great souls who have reached him, attaining the highest perfection, do not return to rebirth, which is the home of suffering and impermanent.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म
दुःखालयमशाश्वतम्
नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः
संसिद्धिं परमां गताः ॥ ८-१५ ॥
māmupetya punarjanma
duḥkhālayamaśāśvatam
nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ
saṃsiddhiṃ paramāṃ gatāḥ
English transliteration maamupetya punarjanma
duhkhaalayamashaashvatam
naapnuvanti mahaatmaanah
samsiddhim paramaam gataah ॥ 8.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Having come to Me, the great souls, who have attained the highest perfection, do not return to rebirth, which is the abode of sorrow and impermanent.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| माम् mām | Me |
| उपेत्य upetya | having come to |
| पुनर्जन्म punarjanma | rebirth punar (again) + janma (birth) |
| दुःखालयम् duḥkhālayam | the abode of sorrow duḥkha (sorrow) + ālayam (abode) |
| अशाश्वतम् aśāśvatam | impermanent |
| न na | not |
| आप्नुवन्ति āpnuvanti | attain |
| महात्मानः mahātmānaḥ | great souls |
| संसिद्धिम् saṃsiddhim | perfection |
| परमाम् paramām | highest |
| गताः gatāḥ | having attained |
Word-wise Chanting
- mā–mu–pet–ya pu–nar–jan–ma 8 syllables maa-mu-pet-ya pu-nar-jan-ma
- duḥ–khā–la–ya–ma–śāś–va–tam | 8 syllables duh-khaa-la-ya-ma-shaash-va-tam
- nāp–nu–van–ti ma–hāt–mā–naḥ 8 syllables naap-nu-van-ti ma-haat-maa-nah
- saṃ–sid–dhiṃ pa–ra–māṃ ga–tāḥ || 8-15 8 syllables sam-sid-dhim pa-ra-maam ga-taah
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 15
Context
Krishna describes the result of reaching him (8.15–8.16).
Meaning
Worldly existence is described frankly as duḥkhālaya, a home of sorrow, and aśāśvata, impermanent. Those great souls who reach the Divine attain the highest saṃsiddhi, perfection, and are freed from the cycle of rebirth. They have found the permanent home.
This is not pessimism but realism. The world has joy, but every joy here is temporary and mixed with loss. The Gita points to a fulfilment that does not fade.
In Practice
When a pleasure ends today, notice its impermanence without sadness, and let it turn your heart toward what is lasting.
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.