The Imperishable - 08 - 01

The Shloka

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अर्जुन उवाच।

किं तद् ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम ।

अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥

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Arjuna uvāca.

Kiṃ tad brahma kim adhyātmaṃ kiṃ karma puruṣottama ।

Adhibhūtaṃ ca kiṃ proktam adhidaivaṃ kim ucyate ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka is highly significant as it initiates the dialogue of Chapter 8, known as “Akṣara-brahma-yoga” (The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman). Arjuna’s questions are fundamental inquiries into the nature of reality, the self, the cosmic order, and the divine. Krishna’s answers to these questions in the subsequent verses provide a clear understanding of these concepts, their interconnectedness, and how they relate to the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation and remembrance of God at the time of death. The clarity sought by Arjuna is essential for any spiritual aspirant to properly comprehend the path to self-realization and union with the Divine. It underscores the importance of a clear understanding of philosophical terms before engaging in spiritual practice.

Arjuna said: What is Brahman? What is Adhyatma? What is Karma, O Purushottama? What is Adhibhuta said to be? And what is Adhidaiva called?

Arjuna asks Krishna to define five crucial terms: Brahman (the Absolute Truth), Adhyatma (the Self or individual soul), Karma (action), Adhibhuta (material manifestation), and Adhidaiva (the presiding divine principle), setting the stage for Chapter 8’s teachings on these concepts.

In this pivotal verse, Arjuna, the devoted disciple and warrior, addresses Lord Krishna with a series of fundamental questions that lay the groundwork for the profound philosophical teachings of the eighth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Having heard about the concepts of Brahman and the Self in previous chapters, Arjuna seeks explicit clarification on their definitions and interrelationships, along with other key terms. He asks Krishna to define “Brahman” (the Supreme Absolute Truth), “Adhyatma” (the individual soul or self), and “Karma” (action and its consequences). Further, he inquires about “Adhibhuta” (the material manifestation of creation) and “Adhidaiva” (the presiding deity or the cosmic divine aspect). These questions are not merely academic; they are deeply spiritual and practical, aiming to understand the nature of existence, the self, action, and the divine order, which are crucial for one’s spiritual journey and attaining liberation. Arjuna addresses Krishna as “Purushottama” (O Supreme Person), recognizing His supreme authority and wisdom in providing these profound answers. These inquiries reflect a sincere quest for knowledge essential for a spiritual aspirant to grasp the ultimate reality and the path to liberation.

Sentence - 1

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अर्जुन उवाच।

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Meaning

Arjuna said.

Meaning of Words

अर्जुन	Arjuna
Arjuna is one of the Pandava princes, the third of the five Pandava brothers, and a central figure in the Mahabharata. He is renowned as a peerless archer and a devoted friend and disciple of Krishna, to whom he poses these profound questions on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The Bhagavad Gita is essentially this dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna.
उवाच	uvāca
said Spoke, uttered. It is a verb indicating the action of speaking or declaring.

Sentence - 2

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किं तद् ब्रह्म

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Meaning

What is that Brahman?

Meaning of Words

किं	kiṃ	What
तद्	tad
that Refers to the well-known or previously mentioned concept of Brahman, indicating Arjuna’s desire for a clearer definition.
ब्रह्म	brahma
Brahman (the Supreme Reality) Brahman is a central concept in Hindu philosophy, representing the ultimate reality, the absolute truth, the cosmic principle. It is often described as the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the divine ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in the universe. It is the Supreme Spirit or the Absolute.

Sentence - 3

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किमध्यात्मं

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Meaning

What is Adhyatma?

Meaning of Words

अध्यात्मं	adhyātmaṃ
Adhyatma (the Self, the individual soul) Adhyatma literally means ‘that which pertains to the self’ or ‘the inner self’. In this context, it refers to the individual soul (Atman) or the eternal spiritual essence within each living being. It represents the inherent, spiritual nature of the living entity, distinct from the material body.

Sentence - 4

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किं कर्म

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Meaning

What is Karma?

Meaning of Words

कर्म	karma
Karma (action) Karma refers to action, work, or deed. More profoundly, it signifies the spiritual principle of cause and effect, where the intent and actions of an individual, whether physical, mental, or verbal, influence their future. It encompasses the totality of actions and their resulting consequences.

Sentence - 5

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पुरुषोत्तम

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Meaning

O Purushottama!

Meaning of Words

पुरुषोत्तम	Puruṣottama
O Supreme Person, O best among men Purushottama is an epithet for Lord Krishna, meaning ‘the best (uttama) among men (purusha)’ or ‘the Supreme Person’. Arjuna uses this address to acknowledge Krishna’s supreme authority, divinity, and unparalleled wisdom, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of knowledge and truth.

Sentence - 6

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अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥

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Meaning

And what is Adhibhuta said to be? And what is Adhidaiva called?

Meaning of Words

अधिभूतं	Adhibhūtaṃ
Adhibhuta (the material manifestation) Adhibhuta refers to the material nature, the perishable entities, or the mutable existence. It represents the physical manifestation of the universe, consisting of all created beings and objects, which are subject to birth, growth, and decay. It is the transient aspect of creation.
च	ca	and
प्रोक्तम	proktaṃ	said to be, declared
अधिदैवं	Adhidaivaṃ
Adhidaiva (the presiding deity, the universal form of God) Adhidaiva refers to the presiding deity or the divine principle governing the celestial realm. It represents the universal form of God, which is responsible for the cosmic functions and the governance of the celestial beings or demigods. It’s the divine aspect that controls natural forces and cosmic intelligence.
किमुच्यते	kiṃ	what
उच्यते	ucyate	is called, is said

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