A declaration · expansive in mood · builds on earlier teachings
“Even the highest attainments return, but union with Krishna does not.”
All worlds up to Brahma's realm return again, Arjuna. But having reached me, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
Read literallyup to the world of Brahma · worlds · returning again · Arjuna · me · having reached · but · son of Kunti · rebirth · not · exists
Even the highest realms are temporary and lead back into rebirth. Only reaching Krishna ends that cycle completely.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Akshara Brahma Yoga" (The Imperishable Absolute).
Verse 16 sits in Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita — Akshara Brahma Yoga, "The Imperishable Absolute". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
You get the promotion you prayed for, and within a month you are eyeing the next one. Krishna says even the highest worlds work like that, and reaching him is what ends the round.
Did you like this verse?
Even Brahma's realm sends beings back, Krishna tells Arjuna, yet whoever reaches him is never reborn.
What this verse means
Even the highest realms are temporary and lead back into rebirth. Only reaching Krishna ends that cycle completely.
Context & commentary
Krishna has already spoken of remembrance and liberation, and now he sharpens the point: even the highest heavens are temporary. Only reaching him ends the cycle of return.
What it looks like today
You get the promotion you prayed for, and within a month you are eyeing the next one. Krishna says even the highest worlds work like that, and reaching him is what ends the round.
“Every heaven, even Brahma's world, ends in return; reaching Krishna ends rebirth.”
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), krishna (31 verses)