Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga - The Yoga of the Imperishable BrahmanKrishna
Verse 5
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 8, श्लोक 5
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम्।
यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥
Transliteration
Anta-kale cha mam-eva smaran muktva kalevaram
Yah prayati sa mad-bhavam yati na-asty-atra samshayah
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
अन्तकालेanta-kaleat the end of life
माम्mamMe
एवevacertainly
स्मरन्smaranremembering
मुक्त्वाmuktvaleaving
कलेवरम्kalevaramthe body
यःyahwho
प्रयातिprayatideparts
मद्भावम्mad-bhavamMy nature/state
यातिyatiattains
न अस्तिna astithere is no
संशयःsamshayahdoubt
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
अन्तकाल में मेरा ही स्मरण करते हुए शरीर त्यागकर जो प्रयाण करता है, वह मेरे भाव (स्वरूप) को प्राप्त होता है; इसमें कोई संशय नहीं है।
English Translation
Whoever, at the end of life, remembering Me alone, leaves the body and departs — he attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.
Commentary (टीका)
This is the pivotal verse of Chapter 8. The state of consciousness at the moment of death determines one's next destination. Remembering Krishna at that crucial juncture guarantees attainment of His divine nature. This teaching motivates the practice of constant divine remembrance throughout life, so it becomes natural at the final moment.