1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme · 28 verses

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 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
8.68.8

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 8.7

Remember Krishna and fight

Karma · Action

तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च ।

मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशय: ॥ ७ ॥

tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu

mām anusmara yudhya ca

mayy arpita-mano-buddhir

mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayaḥ

Translation

Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Kṛṣṇa and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

3 study points

Remember Kṛṣṇa While Doing Duties

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna to fight while always remembering Him, dedicating his activities to Him and fixing his mind and intelligence on Him. Then he will surely attain Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa frees one from material contamination and leads one to Kṛṣṇaloka, the supreme planet, without doubt.

  3. 3

    Continue your prescribed duties while remembering Kṛṣṇa by chanting His names.

Key points from the purport

“Always think of Me in the form of Krishna” and at the same time carry out your prescribed duties of fighting

Thus Lord promises the goal – “surety of attaining Krishna” – without doubt

a

Principle — Throughout life, Practice remembering Krishna by dedicating mental, intellectual and physical activities to Lord’s service e.g.

Mental – Think of Me ‘in form of Krishna’ and ‘by chanting Hare Krishna’

Physical – Carry out prescribed duty of fighting dedicated to ‘Me’

Intellectual – Mind and intelligence fixed on ‘Me’

Result – ‘Freedom from all material contamination’ and ‘Surety of attaining Me’ FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 8.7 continued…

b

How to practice?

Chant – Constantly chant Hare Krishna

Continue Duties – Performing active devotional service through your prescribed duties

c

Text 8.7 is an important instruction to all men engaged in material activities

Connected verses · 2

Texts 8.6 & 8.7

Arjuna may think — “Remembering may be better advice than fighting”;

Krishna clears this misconception in Text 8.7. The Lord does not recommend giving up prescribed duties

Texts 8.7 & 8.8

To remember Krishna is so important, that Krishna repeats the same point in the next verse

How it feels

Integrated purpose

Further reading

Remembering Krishna At The Time Of Death

One attains whatever one remembers at the time of death

Krishna recommends Arjuna to undeviatingly meditate on Him, dedicate his activities to Him and thus attain Him

Chapter 8, section II: Remembering Krishna At The Time Of Death
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. sarveṣuat all
  3. kāleṣutimes
  4. māmMe
  5. anusmarago on remembering
  6. yudhyafight
  7. caalso
  8. mayiunto Me
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Remembrance

    Remember Krishna and fight.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can remembrance of Krishna coexist with my real responsibilities?

Practice

Create a brief remembrance cue before everyday responsibilities.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 8 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 8.5Remember Krishna while performing dutyBG 9.34Bring the heart and mind to KrishnaBG 8.14Undeviating devotional remembrance
Live this todayRemember Kṛṣṇa While Doing Your DutyOne practice from this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction