In Bhagavad Gita 8.16, Krishna says that all worlds, up to the realm of Brahma, are subject to return, but for one who reaches him there is no rebirth.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः
पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन
मामुपेत्य तु कौन्तेय
पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते ॥ ८-१६ ॥
ābrahmabhuvanāllokāḥ
punarāvartino’rjuna
māmupetya tu kaunteya
punarjanma na vidyate
English transliteration aabrahmabhuvanaallokaah
punaraavartino’rjuna
maamupetya tu kaunteya
punarjanma na vidyate ॥ 8.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
All the worlds, up to the realm of Brahma, are subject to return, O Arjuna. But on reaching Me, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आब्रह्मभुवनात् ābrahmabhuvanāt | up to the realm of Brahmā ā (up to) + brahma (Brahmā) + bhuvanāt (realm) |
| लोकाः lokāḥ | worlds |
| पुनरावर्तिनः punarāvartinaḥ | subject to return punar (again) + āvartinaḥ (returning) |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| माम् mām | Me |
| उपेत्य upetya | on reaching |
| तु tu | but |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| पुनर्जन्म punarjanma | rebirth |
| न na | not |
| विद्यते vidyate | is |
Word-wise Chanting
- āb–rah–ma–bhu–va–nāl–lo–kāḥ 8 syllables aab-rah-ma-bhu-va-naal-lo-kaah
- pu–na–rā–var–ti–no–‘rju–na | 8 syllables pu-na-raa-var-ti-no-‘rju-na
- mā–mu–pet–ya tu kaun–te–ya 8 syllables maa-mu-pet-ya tu kaun-te-ya
- pu–nar–jan–ma na vid–ya–te || 8-16 8 syllables pu-nar-jan-ma na vid-ya-te
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 16
Context
Krishna continues his explanation of liberation (continuing 8.15).
Meaning
Even the highest heavens, up to brahma-loka, the world of the creator Brahmā, are part of the cycle. Beings who reach them by merit eventually return. Only reaching the Divine itself, beyond all worlds, ends rebirth completely.
This verse puts heavenly rewards in perspective. Even the most exalted experiences within creation are temporary. The Gita’s goal is not a better world but freedom in the Divine itself.
In Practice
Reflect on what you hope to gain from your spiritual practice. Let your aim be the Divine itself, not any temporary reward.
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.