Chapter 8 Verse 5
Akṣhar Brahma Yog
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम्। यः प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः।।8.5।।
anta-kāle cha mām eva smaran muktvā kalevaram yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ yāti nāstyatra sanśhayaḥ
Word Meanings
| anta-kāle | at the time of death |
| cha | and |
| mām | me |
| eva | alone |
| smaran | remembering |
| muktvā | relinquish |
| kalevaram | the body |
| yaḥ | who |
| prayāti | goes |
| saḥ | he |
| mat-bhāvam | Godlike nature |
| yāti | achieves |
| na | no |
| asti | there is |
| atra | here |
| sanśhayaḥ | doubt |
Translation
And whoever, leaving their body, goes forth remembering Me alone at the time of death, they will attain My Being; there is no doubt about this.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
At the moment of death, the mind's final focus determines where the soul goes. If a person lets go of the body and remembers God alone, they reach God’s presence without any doubt.
This verse also implies that arriving at such a final thought is not accidental. A steady habit of remembering the Divine shapes the mind so that at the end it naturally turns inward to the same truth.
Practically, the teaching is about learning to let go of fear and attachment to the body, and training the mind toward a calm, single aim — union with the Divine.
Life Application
- Build a simple daily habit: repeat a short prayer, mantra, or name of God each morning and before sleep so remembering the Divine becomes natural.
- Use small rituals at transitions (before sleep, when leaving home, at meals) to pause and bring your attention to what matters most.
- In moments of stress or loss, take three deep breaths and silently repeat a sacred name or intention to steady your mind and practice letting go.
Reflection Question
What one simple practice can you start today so your final thought can be calm and focused on the Divine?