Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 2

English Translation

O Madhusudana, how, and who, is the entity existing in the sacrifice here in this body? And at the time of death, how are You to be known by people of concentrated minds?

Detailed Commentary

।।8.2।। Commentary -- "O Purushottama, what is that Brahman?" That is, what is to be understood by the word Brahman? "What is Adhyatma?" What do you mean by the term Adhyatma? "What is Karma?" That is, what is your intention by the word Karma? "What is Adhibhuta?" What is the import of the word Adhibhuta that You have spoken? "What is said to be Adhidaiva?" Who is referred to as Adhidaiva? "Who is Adhiyajna, and how is He in this body?" In this context, who should be understood by the word Adhiyajna? How is that Adhiyajna present in this body? "O Madhusudan, how are You known at the time of death?" O Madhusudan, by those individuals whose inner consciousness is subdued, that is, those who have turned away from the world and are devoted to You alone with unswerving devotion, how are You known by them at the final moment? That is, what form of Yours do they perceive, and how do they perceive it? Connection -- Now, in the following two verses, the Lord sequentially answers Arjuna's six questions.