I will briefly tell you that imperishable state, which the knowers of the Vedas call imperishable, which the detached ascetics enter, and which seekers follow through celibate discipline.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 8.11
Hindi · हिन्दी
वेदवेत्ता लोग जिसको अक्षर कहते हैं, वीतराग यति जिसको प्राप्त करते हैं और साधक जिसकी प्राप्तिकी इच्छा करते हुए ब्रह्मचर्यका पालन करते हैं, वह पद मैं तेरे लिये संक्षेपसे कहूँगा ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
यत्that whichअक्षरम्imperishableवेद-विदःknowers of the Vedasवदन्तिcallविशन्तिenterयत्whichयतयःasceticsवीत-रागाःfree from desireयत्whichइच्छन्तःseekingब्रह्मचर्यम्celibate disciplineचरन्तिpracticeतत्thatतेto youपदम्stateसंग्रहेणbrieflyप्रवक्ष्येI will speak
Read literallythat which · imperishable · knowers of the Vedas · call · enter · which · ascetics · free from desire · which · seeking · celibate discipline · practice · that · to you · state · briefly · I will speak
Understanding the verse
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Krishna promises a brief account of the imperishable that Veda-knowers name, ascetics enter, and celibates pursue.
Krishna says he will briefly describe the imperishable state that Vedic knowers speak of, detached ascetics enter, and disciplined seekers approach through celibate practice.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna turns from battlefield duty to the final aim beyond death, while Arjuna is still caught between collapse and action. He names the imperishable state that sages describe, and says he will explain it plainly before teaching the method to reach it.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A young woman preparing for the civil services gives up weddings, films and late nights for two years. Krishna mentions people who keep brahmacharya for a far larger goal: the imperishable itself.
The takeaway
“The deepest goal is not grabbed by wanting more, but by letting wanting fall away.”
Krishna says he will briefly describe the imperishable state that Vedic knowers speak of, detached ascetics enter, and disciplined seekers approach through celibate practice.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.11?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Akshara Brahma Yoga" (The Imperishable Absolute).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 8.11?
Verse 11 sits in Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita — Akshara Brahma Yoga, "The Imperishable Absolute". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 8.11 matter today?
A young woman preparing for the civil services gives up weddings, films and late nights for two years. Krishna mentions people who keep brahmacharya for a far larger goal: the imperishable itself.
Krishna promises a brief account of the imperishable that Veda-knowers name, ascetics enter, and celibates pursue.
What this verse means
Krishna says he will briefly describe the imperishable state that Vedic knowers speak of, detached ascetics enter, and disciplined seekers approach through celibate practice.
Context & commentary
Krishna turns from battlefield duty to the final aim beyond death, while Arjuna is still caught between collapse and action. He names the imperishable state that sages describe, and says he will explain it plainly before teaching the method to reach it.
What it looks like today
A young woman preparing for the civil services gives up weddings, films and late nights for two years. Krishna mentions people who keep brahmacharya for a far larger goal: the imperishable itself.
“The deepest goal is not grabbed by wanting more, but by letting wanting fall away.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), moksha (34 verses), akshara (12 verses)