In Bhagavad Gita 8.2, Arjuna asks what the principle of sacrifice is and how it dwells in the body, and how those of self-control know Krishna at the time of death.
Sanskrit Verse
अर्जुन उवाच · Arjuna said
अधियज्ञः कथं कोऽत्र
देहेऽस्मिन्मधुसूदन
प्रयाणकाले च कथं
ज्ञेयोऽसि नियतात्मभिः ॥ ८-२ ॥
adhiyajñaḥ kathaṃ ko’tra
dehe’sminmadhusūdana
prayāṇakāle ca kathaṃ
jñeyo’si niyatātmabhiḥ
English transliteration adhiyajnah katham ko’tra
dehe’sminmadhusoodana
prayaanakaale cha katham
jneyo’si niyataatmabhih ॥ 8.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
What is the principle of sacrifice here in this body, and how does it dwell here, O Madhusudana? And how, at the time of departure, are You to be known by those who are self-controlled?
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अधियज्ञः adhiyajñaḥ | the principle of sacrifice |
| कथम् katham | how |
| कः kaḥ | who |
| अत्र atra | here |
| देहे dehe | in the body |
| अस्मिन् asmin | this |
| मधुसूदन madhusūdana | O Madhusūdana |
| प्रयाणकाले prayāṇakāle | at the time of departure prayāṇa (departure) + kāle (at the time) |
| च ca | and |
| कथम् katham | how |
| ज्ञेयः jñeyaḥ | to be known |
| असि asi | are You |
| नियतात्मभिः niyatātmabhiḥ | by the self-controlled niyata (controlled) + ātmabhiḥ (by those whose selves) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–dhi–ya–jñaḥ ka–thaṃ ko–‘tra 8 syllables a-dhi-ya-jnah ka-tham ko-‘tra
- de–he–‘smin–ma–dhu–sū–da–na | 8 syllables de-he-‘smin-ma-dhu-soo-da-na
- pra–yā–ṇa–kā–le ca ka–thaṃ 8 syllables pra-yaa-na-kaa-le cha ka-tham
- jñe–yo–‘si ni–ya–tāt–ma–bhiḥ || 8-2 8 syllables jne-yo-‘si ni-ya-taat-ma-bhih
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 2
Context
Arjuna completes his questions (continuing 8.1).
Meaning
Arjuna asks two more questions. First, what is adhiyajña, the principle of sacrifice, and how does it reside within the body? Second, and most personal: how can those who have mastered themselves know the Divine at the moment of death? This last question sets the theme of the chapter.
Death is the great test of any spiritual life. Arjuna wants to know not only theory but how the truth can be held at the decisive moment. The rest of the chapter answers this practical concern.
In Practice
Ask yourself honestly: if today were your last day, where would your mind naturally go? Let the answer guide your practice.
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.