Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 28

English Translation

Having known this, the yogi transcends all those results of rigtheous deeds that are declared with regard to the Vedas, sacrifices, austerities and also charities, and he reaches the primordial supreme State.

Detailed Commentary

।।8.28।। Explanation — "In the Vedas, in Yajñas, in Tapas… attains the primal abode." Yajñas, Dāna, Tapas, Tīrtha, Vratas, and all such supreme scriptural actions, along with their fruits, are perishable. When these actions have a beginning and an end, how can their fruit be imperishable? Whether that fruit pertains to this world or Svarga, there is no difference in its transient nature. Even though the Jīva itself is an imperishable part of the Paramātman, it remains entangled in perishable objects; this is its ignorance. Therefore, the person who comprehends the mystery of the bright and dark paths described from the twenty-third to the twenty-sixth verse transcends all fruits of meritorious deeds such as Yajña, Tapas, and Dāna. He understands that even after reaching Brahmaloka, one must return, but upon attaining Bhagavān, there is no return (8.16). He understands that "I am a part of Paramātman, and these perishable objects are moving towards eternal non-existence"; hence, he does not get entangled in transient enjoyments and depends solely on Bhagavān. In this way, he attains Paramātman, which is called 'Paramagati' and 'Paramadhāma'. A person attached to the accumulation of perishable objects and their enjoyments cannot know that essence of Paramātman. This inability is not given by anyone; rather, the Jīva has created it itself. It can erase it itself. It is its responsibility to correct the mistake it has made. It is neither helpless nor weak. Due to the craving for संयोगजन्य सुख (pleasure arising from contact), it attributes helplessness to itself and remains deprived of the great benefit of human birth. Therefore, a human being should renounce the craving for संयोगजन्य सुख and constantly strive to make their life meaningful. At the end of the sixth chapter, Bhagavān first glorified the Yogi and then commanded Arjuna to become a Yogi (6.46). Here, Bhagavān first commanded Arjuna to become a Yogi and then glorified the Yogi. In the sixth chapter, there is the context of the one who deviates from Yoga, and Arjuna had a doubt whether he would be lost. Bhagavān dispelled that doubt, saying that "one engaged in Yoga is never destroyed, and even an inquirer of Yoga transcends the Śabda-Brahma." Therefore, the glory of the Yogi was first spoken, and then Arjuna was commanded to become a Yogi. Here, Arjuna's question was how those self-controlled persons are known. Bhagavān said that "I am easily attainable by a person who turns away from worldly objects and is devoted to Me." Therefore, the command "be a Yogi" was first given, and then the glory of the Yogi was spoken. Thus, in the 'Śrīmadbhagavadgītopaniṣad' in the form of 'Śrīkṛṣṇa-Arjuna Saṃvāda', which is the science of Brahma and the scripture of Yoga, pronounced with the Bhagavan-Nāmas 'Om Tat Sat', the eighth chapter named 'Akṣarabrahmayoga' is completed.