Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 5

English Translation

And at the time of death, anyone who departs by giving up the body while thinking of Me alone, he attains My state. There is no doubt about this.

Detailed Commentary

।।8.5।। Explanation—'Antakale cha' 'Mameva... yati nastyatra samshayaḥ'—one who departs from the body remembering Me alone, even at the time of death, implies that this person was given the opportunity for Bhajana and Sadhana during their life, but they did nothing. Now, at the time of death, they cannot perform any spiritual practice, so if they at least remember Me, they will attain Me. 'Mameva Smaran' means that all that comes within the scope of hearing and understanding is My very Swarupa (nature). One who considers all this to be Me alone will remember Me even at the time of death. Through this remembrance, they will attain Me. 'Madbhavam' means that the Sadhaka will attain Me in whatever form they have conceived Me. Those who perform Upasana (worship) of Bhagavan attain Him at the time of death. Even those who do not perform Upasana, if for some reason they remember Bhagavan at the time of death, they too attain Bhagavan. Just as one's state (Gati) is determined by their Gunas (qualities) (Gita 14.14-15), similarly, if Bhagavan is remembered at the end, Bhagavan is attained. Bhagavan has many forms from the perspective of Sadhakas – Saguna (with attributes), Nirguna (without attributes), Sakara (with form), Nirakara (without form), etc. In the end, all attain the state of Bhagavan (Bhagavadbhava). Those who depart from the body remembering Bhagavan remain connected to Bhagavan, while those who depart according to their Gunas remain connected to their Gunas. Bhagavan has given this special concession that no matter how a dying person has lived, if they remember Bhagavan at the time of death, their welfare will be assured. If a dying person is shown or made to hear about the Bhagavan of their Upasana, their welfare can also be ensured. At the time of death, welfare can come about due to some sudden cause. Even by a Sadhaka chanting or making a being hear the Bhagavan-nama (name of Bhagavan), the being's welfare can be assured. 'Vasudevaḥ Sarvam' means that everything is Vasudeva alone. A Tattvajña (one who knows the ultimate truth) does not need to remember Bhagavan in any situation. For them, all states are equal. Finally, Bhagavan explains in the next Shloka what those who do not remember Him attain.