Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 14

Chapter 8 – Akshara Brahma Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः ।
तस्याहं सुलभः पार्थ नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः ॥

Transliteration

ananyacetāḥ satataṃ yo māṃ smarati nityaśaḥ .
tasyāhaṃ sulabhaḥ pārtha nityayuktasya yoginaḥ ॥

Meaning

O Partha, for the yogi who with undivided mind constantly and daily remembers Me, ever steadfast, I am easily attained.

Word meanings

अनन्यचेताः – one with undivided mind
सततम् – continuously
यः – who
माम् – Me
स्मरति – remembers
नित्यशः – daily, always
तस्य – for him
अहम् – I
सुलभः – easily attainable
पार्थ – O Partha
नित्ययुक्तस्य – ever-steadfast
योगिनः – of the yogi

Anvaya (word order)

पार्थ, यः अनन्यचेताः नित्यशः सततं माम् स्मरति, तस्य नित्ययुक्तस्य योगिनः अहं सुलभः ।

Explanation

The earlier verses described a yogic process at death that may sound difficult. Here the Lord gives the simplest path: constant remembrance. For this reason the verse may be called the devotional heart of the chapter.

Three words fix the nature of this remembrance: ananya-chetah, a mind that takes no other support but the Lord; satatam, without break; nityashah, day after day through life. It is not occasional remembrance but a memory running in the background of life, like a mother whose attention stays on her child even while she works.

The promise of the fruit is sweet: tasyaham sulabhah, I am easily reached by him. The supreme state for which ascetics, Vedic scholars and austere seekers labour is gained simply by one who remembers lovingly and continuously. Sulabha does not mean absence of effort; it means that the Lord himself draws close to such a devotee, and does not have to be searched for along the way.

For Shankara the nitya-yukta yogi is one who wants no fruit other than the Lord. Ramanuja takes the verse as proof of the superiority of the path of devotion. Both agree that the continuity of remembrance is the real means.

Context

Verses 8.12-13 described the difficult yoga at death. Here the Lord offers a simpler path in comparison: daily continuous remembrance. The next verse gives its fruit, freedom from rebirth.

Life lesson

Not everyone needs hard austerity to reach God; loving, continuous remembrance is enough. Make a habit of recalling God even amid ordinary daily tasks.

Key terms

अनन्यचेताः: one whose mind goes to none other
नित्ययुक्त: ever united with the Lord
सुलभ: easy to reach
नित्यशः: day after day, without break