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Chapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme · 28 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Bhakti & surrenderChapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme

8.14 8.16

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 8.15

Undeviating devotional remembrance

Īśvara · God

मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दु:खालयमशाश्वतम् ।

नाप्‍नुवन्ति महात्मान: संसिद्धिं परमां गता: ॥ १५ ॥

mām upetya punar janma

duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam

nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ

saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ

Translation

After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

The Highest Perfection

1
Great souls devoted to Kṛṣṇa attain Him and never return to this temporary world full of suffering.
2
Prabhupāda explains that the highest perfection is to want only Kṛṣṇa and His association, nothing else.
3
Hear from realized devotees and gradually develop devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport

Such ‘Bhakti-yogis’ achieve...

Krishna directly (the highest perfection)

Never fall down from highest Vaikuntha planet

No return to temporary world because

Material world is full of miseries

And they have attained the highest perfection

Text 8.15 refers to “Personalist devotees” of the Supreme Lord Krishna — They achieve highest perfection and are supreme souls (Mahatmas)

Ref. Vedic Literatures describe the ‘supreme planet’ as ‘Avyakta’ and ‘Akshara’ and ‘Parama-Gati’

Avyakta and Akshara – Planet beyond Material vision and inexplicable

Parama-Gati – The Supreme destination, destination for Mahatmas

Describes ‘Mahatmas’

Receive in Parampara – They receive transcendental messages from the realised devotees

Gradual development – They gradually develop devotional service in Krishna Consciosness

Highest Absorption – They get so absorbed that No desire of any elevation to any Material or Spiritual planets

Only desire – Only want Krishna and Krishna’s satisfaction – ‘The highest perfection of life’

Pure Devotional Service (Remembrance Of Krishna Through

bhakti)

By constant engagement in devotional service, one who undeviatingly remembers Krishna easily attains the Lord’s abode, far from this miserable material world

Chapter 8, section IV: Pure Devotional Service (Remembrance Of Krishna Through