The Imperishable - 08 - 03

The Shloka

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते ।

भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ॥

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śrībhagavānuvāca ।

akṣaraṁ brahma paramaṁ svabhāvo’dhyātmamucyate ।

bhūtabhāvodbhavakaro visargaḥ karmasaṁjñitaḥ ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This verse is profoundly significant as it provides foundational definitions for three core spiritual concepts — Brahman, Adhyātma, and Karma — which were part of Arjuna’s inquiries. By clearly articulating these terms, Lord Krishna lays the groundwork for understanding the ultimate reality, the individual soul’s relationship with that reality, and the nature of cosmic creation and action. This clarity is crucial for Arjuna, and all spiritual aspirants, to grasp the path to liberation and the deeper philosophical underpinnings of the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings. It establishes the interconnectedness of the universal spirit, the individual spirit, and the actions that perpetuate existence.

The Supreme Lord said: The imperishable is Brahman, the supreme; its essential nature is called Adhyātma (the self); the creative force that causes the manifestation of living entities is called karma.

In this verse, Lord Krishna defines three essential terms in response to Arjuna’s questions. He explains that ‘Aksharam Brahma Paramam’ refers to the Supreme, Indestructible Brahman, which is the ultimate reality. ‘Svabhāvo’dhyātmamucyate’ clarifies that Adhyātma is the essential nature of Brahman, manifested as the individual soul or self. Lastly, ‘Bhūtabhāvodbhavakaro Visargaḥ Karmasaṁjñitaḥ’ defines Karma as the creative process or emission responsible for the manifestation and existence of all living entities.

In response to Arjuna’s seven questions posed in the previous verse (Bhagavad Gita 8.1-2), Lord Krishna begins to systematically define fundamental spiritual concepts. He first addresses the question of ‘What is Brahman?’ by stating ‘Akṣaraṁ Brahma paramaṁ,’ meaning that the Supreme, Indestructible (Aksharam) reality is Brahman. This refers to the ultimate, unchanging, and eternal spiritual substance that underlies all existence, beyond the limitations of time and space. Next, He defines ‘Adhyātma’ (what pertains to the self) by explaining ‘svabhāvo’dhyātmamucyate.’ This means that the intrinsic, inherent nature (Svabhāva) of Brahman, when considered in relation to the individual being, is called Adhyātma. Essentially, Adhyātma is the individual soul (jīvātman) or the spiritual self that animates each living entity, being a part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman. Finally, Krishna clarifies ‘Karma’ (action), stating ‘bhūtabhāvodbhavakaro visargaḥ karmasaṁjñitaḥ.’ Here, Karma is defined not merely as ordinary action, but specifically as the ‘visarga’ – the creative force, emission, or cosmic sacrifice – that ‘bhūtabhāvodbhavakaraḥ’ (causes the manifestation and existence of all living entities). This refers to the creative energy of the Lord that brings forth the entire material creation, populating it with various forms of life. Thus, Karma, in this context, is the divine activity of creation and sustenance.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।

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Meaning

The Supreme Lord said:

Meaning of Words

श्रीभगवान्	śrībhagavān
The Supreme Lord An honorific title used for Lord Krishna, meaning ‘the possessor of all opulences’. It refers to someone endowed with all six perfections: infinite strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation. This indicates that He is the ultimate, supreme personality.
उवाच	uvāca
said A past tense verb meaning ‘spoke’ or ‘declared’. It signifies that the following statement is a direct utterance from the speaker.

Sentence - 2

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अक्षरं ब्रह्म परमं स्वभावोऽध्यात्ममुच्यते ।

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Meaning

The imperishable (Akshara) is Brahman, the Supreme; its essential nature is called adhyātma (the self).

Meaning of Words

अक्षरम्	akṣaram
The imperishable That which is not subject to decay, destruction, or change. It signifies eternality, immutability, and an undying nature, often referring to the ultimate reality or spirit which is beyond the transient material world.
ब्रह्म	brahma
Brahman The Absolute Truth, the Supreme Reality, the all-pervading spirit. It is the ultimate, unchanging, infinite, and transcendent reality that is the divine ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in the universe. It is the source from which all existence emanates and to which it ultimately returns.
परमम्	paramam
Supreme Highest, ultimate, greatest, or pre-eminent. It denotes something that is unsurpassed in its quality, status, or position, indicating the ultimate nature of Brahman.
स्वभावः	svabhāvaḥ
one’s own nature, essential being The inherent, innate, or intrinsic nature of a being or thing. It refers to the fundamental quality, disposition, or characteristic that defines its essence, rather than external attributes or acquired traits.
अध्यात्मम्	adhyātmam
the Self, pertaining to the individual soul This term refers to the spiritual principle within individual beings; it is the individual soul (jīvātman) or the inner self, which is considered a part or reflection of the Supreme Brahman. It literally means ‘related to the self’ or ‘pertaining to the spirit’, indicating the inner spiritual reality of a living entity.
उच्यते	ucyate
is called, is said to be A verb meaning ‘it is declared’, ‘it is stated’, or ‘it is designated’. It is used here to define or name a concept.

Sentence - 3

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भूतभावोद्भवकरो विसर्गः कर्मसंज्ञितः ॥

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Meaning

The creative force that causes the manifestation of living entities is called karma.

Meaning of Words

भूतभावोद्भवकरः	bhūtabhāvodbhavakaraḥ
That which causes the manifestation of living entities This is a compound word. ‘Bhūta’ refers to ‘beings’, ‘creatures’, or ‘elements’. ‘Bhāva’ means ‘existence’, ‘state of being’, or ‘nature’. ‘Udbhavakaraḥ’ means ‘causing to arise’, ‘producing’, or ‘manifesting’. Thus, the entire term collectively refers to the creative power responsible for bringing all living beings and their states of existence into manifestation.
विसर्गः	visargaḥ
Emission, creation, creative force Literally meaning ‘emission’, ‘giving forth’, ‘release’, or ‘creation’. In the context of cosmic creation, it signifies the creative act or the sacrificial offering that results in the manifestation of the material world and its living entities. It is the divine impetus that projects or brings forth the universe.
कर्मसंज्ञितः	karmasaṁjñitaḥ
is designated as karma, is called karma This compound word means ‘named as karma’ or ‘having the appellation of karma’. ‘Karma’ generally refers to action, deed, or the law of cause and effect. Here, it specifically denotes the cosmic creative action, the force behind universal manifestation and the process of bringing beings into existence, rather than merely individual human actions.

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