In Bhagavad Gita 8.3, Krishna defines Brahman as the imperishable Supreme, adhyatma as one’s essential nature, and karma as the creative offering that brings beings into existence.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं
स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते
भूतभावोद्भवकरो
विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ॥ ८-३ ॥
akṣaraṃ brahma paramaṃ
svabhāvo’dhyātmamucyate
bhūtabhāvodbhavakaro
visargaḥ karmasaṃjñitaḥ
English transliteration aksharam brahma paramam
svabhaavo’dhyaatmamuchyate
bhootabhaavodbhavakaro
visargah karmasamjnitah ॥ 8.3 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The Blessed Lord said: Brahman is the imperishable, the Supreme. Its essential nature is called adhyatma, the Self. The creative offering that brings beings into existence is called karma, action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अक्षरम् akṣaram | imperishable |
| ब्रह्म brahma | Brahman |
| परमम् paramam | supreme |
| स्वभावः svabhāvaḥ | essential nature sva (own) + bhāvaḥ (nature) |
| अध्यात्मम् adhyātmam | the Self |
| उच्यते ucyate | is called |
| भूतभावोद्भवकरः bhūtabhāvodbhavakaraḥ | which brings beings into existence bhūta (beings) + bhāva (existence) + udbhava (arising) + karaḥ (causing) |
| विसर्गः visargaḥ | creative offering |
| कर्मसंज्ञितः karmasaṃjñitaḥ | is called action karma (action) + saṃjñitaḥ (named) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–kṣa–raṃ brah–ma pa–ra–maṃ 8 syllables a-ksha-ram brah-ma pa-ra-mam
- sva–bhā–vo–‘dhyāt–ma–muc–ya–te | 8 syllables sva-bhaa-vo-‘dhyaat-ma-much-ya-te
- bhū–ta–bhā–vod–bha–va–ka–ro 8 syllables bhoo-ta-bhaa-vod-bha-va-ka-ro
- vi–sar–gaḥ kar–ma–saṃ–jñi–taḥ || 8-3 8 syllables vi-sar-gah kar-ma-sam-jni-tah
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 3
Context
Krishna begins answering Arjuna’s questions (8.3–8.4).
Meaning
Krishna gives concise definitions. Brahman is akṣara, the imperishable, and parama, the highest reality. Adhyātma is svabhāva, the essential nature of a being, its inner Self. Karma is visarga, the creative outpouring or offering by which beings come into existence and are sustained.
These definitions connect the cosmic and the personal. The same imperishable reality underlies the universe and our own inner nature. Action, in its widest sense, is the creative force of existence itself, not merely our personal deeds.
In Practice
Contemplate for a few minutes: the imperishable Brahman is present as your own deepest nature.
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.