Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 10

Chapter 8 – Akshara Brahma Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

प्रयाणकाले मनसाऽचलेन
भक्त्या युक्तो योगबलेन चैव ।
भ्रुवोर्मध्ये प्राणमावेश्य सम्यक्
स तं परं पुरुषमुपैति दिव्यम् ॥

Transliteration

prayāṇakāle manasā.acalena bhaktyā yukto yogabalena caiva .
bhruvormadhye prāṇamāveśya samyak sa taṃ paraṃ puruṣamupaiti divyam ॥

Meaning

At the time of departure, with an unshaken mind, endowed with devotion, and by the power of yoga, having well fixed the life-breath between the eyebrows, he reaches that supreme divine Person.

Word meanings

प्रयाणकाले – at the time of departure
अचलेन मनसा – with an unmoving mind
भक्त्या युक्तः – endowed with devotion
योगबलेन – by the power of yoga
च एव – and indeed
भ्रुवोः मध्ये – between the eyebrows
प्राणम् – the life-breath
आवेश्य – having fixed
सम्यक् – well, fully
सः – he
तम् परम् पुरुषम् – that supreme Person
उपैति – reaches
दिव्यम् – divine

Anvaya (word order)

प्रयाणकाले अचलेन मनसा भक्त्या युक्तः योगबलेन च एव भ्रुवोः मध्ये प्राणं सम्यक् आवेश्य, सः तं परं दिव्यं पुरुषम् उपैति ।

Explanation

The last verse gave the object of meditation; this verse gives the method at the time of death. It has three elements: an unshaken mind, devotion and the power of yoga, along with one physical act: fixing the prana between the eyebrows.

Achalena manasa: even when the pain of the body and the pull of worldly bonds are at work at death, the mind stays unmoving. This steadiness is not easy; it comes from lifelong practice. Bhaktya yuktah means not mere control but control joined with love. Without devotion yoga stays dry, and without yoga devotion may waver; so both are named together.

Bhruvor madhye pranam aveshya: in the yoga tradition the ajna chakra between the eyebrows is the seat where mind and breath are gathered. The seeker holds prana here and leaves the body. Shankara sees this as the process of yoga practitioners, and Ramanuja links it with the discipline of keeping the mind absorbed in the Lord.

The point is not that everyone must adopt this particular technique; the point is that steadiness at death demands preparation. One who has trained mind, breath and devotion in life can remember the supreme Person without panic in that hour.

Context

Verse 8.9 described the object of meditation. This verse adds the method for the final moment; in 8.11 the Lord promises to speak briefly of the imperishable goal.

Life lesson

Deep practice needs both love and discipline. Learn to keep your breath and mind calm in ordinary moments, so that steadiness remains in difficult hours.

Key terms

योगबल: power gained through yogic practice
भ्रूमध्य: the point between the eyebrows (ajna chakra)
अचल मन: a mind unshaken by distractions
प्राणावेशन: holding the vital breath at one centre