Path of the Eternal God
Verse 8.13
ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन्। यः प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम्।।8.13।।
oṁ ityekākṣharaṁ brahma vyāharan mām anusmaran yaḥ prayāti tyajan dehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim
Word Meanings
om—sacred syllable representing the formless aspect of God; iti—thus; eka-akṣharam—one syllabled; brahma—the Absolute Truth; vyāharan—chanting; mām—me (Shree Krishna); anusmaran—remembering; yaḥ—who; prayāti—departs; tyajan—quitting; deham—the body; saḥ—he; yāti—attains; paramām—the supreme; gatim—goal
Translation · English
Uttering the one-syllabled Om, the Brahman, and remembering Me, he who departs, leaving the body, attains the Supreme Goal.
Deep Meaning · English
This verse serves as the culmination of the Yoga of Imperishable Brahman, offering a technical yet profound bridge between the formless Absolute and the personal God. The syllable 'Om' is described as the sonic manifestation of the infinite, acting as a spiritual anchor for the consciousness as it prepares to leave the mortal frame. By chanting Om, the seeker aligns their vibration with the source of existence, while simultaneously practicing 'anusmaran'—the constant, flowing remembrance of Krishna. This duality of focus is vital: it dissolves the ego into the cosmic sound while tethering the heart to the Divine Presence. Krishna is teaching that the ultimate transition, or death, is not a cessation of existence but a final act of surrender. For the one who has spent a lifetime integrating their awareness into this sacred frequency, the moment of departure becomes a homecoming rather than an end. The body is shed like worn clothing, while the consciousness, established in this unwavering remembrance, naturally ascends to the Supreme Goal—the state of non-dual union where the soul recognizes its identity with the Absolute. This is the art of dying before death, ensuring that the final thought is not a reflection of worldly attachments, but a reflection of the Eternal itself.
The integration of sacred vibration and constant remembrance of the Divine transforms the moment of physical death into an effortless return to the Supreme Source.
Connected Verses
Explains the cosmic significance of Om as the designation of the Supreme Absolute.
Reinforces the practice of making one's entire consciousness absorbed in the Divine to ensure union with Him.
Establishes the fundamental law that one attains that which they remember at the time of leaving the body.
Explains the importance of focused devotion and the life-force at the moment of departure.
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