Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Summary: Akshar Brahm Yoga – Om Mantra & Secret of Param Akshar Brahm

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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 – Akshar Brahm Yoga (The Path of the Imperishable)

Introduction:

Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled Akshar Brahm Yoga, is a deeply significant chapter where Arjun asks clear questions about the soul, God, and the true path of worship. The speaker of the Gita—Kaal Brahm—gives crucial answers that distinguish between different forms of Brahm (God) and indirectly reveals that he himself is not Supreme.

This chapter exposes that there exists a Supreme God beyond the speaker, and reveals his own mantra, while also explaining the fate of souls who worship him.

Chapter 8 Summary in Simple English:

Arjun opens Chapter 8 by asking: What is Brahm? What is Adhyatma (soul)? What is Karma? What is Adhibhoot and Adhidaiv? And who is Adhiyagya?
The speaker (Kaal) answers by revealing that he is not the Supreme God and that Param Akshar Brahm is above him.
Kaal identifies himself as Akshar Purush, distinct from the Param Akshar Brahm who is eternal and grants complete liberation.
He also discloses that his own mantra is “Om”, and the one who remembers him at death comes to him (Kaal), not the Supreme abode.
Finally, he admits that his world is temporary, and even if souls reach him, they are reborn again and again.

Important Verses from Chapter 8:

8.1 – Arjun asks: "What is Brahm? What is Adhyatma (Self)? What is Karma? What is Adhibhoot (material world)? What is Adhidaiv (divine controller)? And who is Adhiyagya (sacrificial being)?"

8.3 – The speaker replies: “Akshar is called Brahm, Adhyatma is the Supreme Self in the body, and Karma is the action that causes the creation of living beings.” But importantly, he says: “Param Akshar Brahm is the Supreme Divine Essence.”

✔️ This confirms that there is a higher God than the speaker of Gita, called Param Akshar Brahm – the Supreme God.

8.5–6 – “Whoever remembers Me (the speaker) at the time of death attains Me.” “Whatever being one remembers at the time of death, one attains that state without doubt.”

These verses show that worshippers reach only the being they remember (Kaal) – not necessarily the Supreme God.

8.9 – “One who remembers the Eternal, Controller, Subtler than the subtle, Support of all, Unthinkable, Self-luminous, beyond darkness, the Supreme Purusha…”

This verse describes Param Akshar Brahm – the Supreme God who is beyond Kaal and whose remembrance leads to true salvation.

8.13 – “Uttering the single syllable ‘Om’, and leaving the body, he who departs attains the Supreme Abode.”

But this is misleading. In reality, ‘Om’ leads to Kaal’s lok, not the Supreme Abode. Even the speaker has earlier accepted (in 8.3) that Param Akshar Brahm is Supreme, not him.

This proves that “Om” is the mantra of Kaal Brahm, not of the Supreme God.

8.16 – “All worlds up to Brahm Lok are subject to return, O Arjun. But after reaching My Supreme Abode, there is no rebirth.”

Here, Kaal reveals a critical truth: even souls who reach Brahm Lok (his lok) are reborn. Only after reaching Param Akshar Brahm’s abode (Satlok) can a soul escape the cycle of birth and death.

Key Teachings from Chapter 8:

There is a Supreme God called Param Akshar Brahm, higher than the Gita speaker (Kaal).
‘Om’ is Kaal’s own mantra, and worshipping with it leads only to Kaal’s temporary abode, not salvation.
True salvation requires worship of Param Akshar Brahm using His complete mantra, not just Om.
All souls who reach Brahm Lok will be reborn, unless they attain Satlok.

Tatvagyan Insight (Based on Teachings of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj):

According to Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, this chapter is a turning point in the Gita. It openly confirms that:

Kaal Brahm is the speaker of the Gita, not Supreme God.
There are three powers described in the Gita:
- Kshar Purush – the perishable (material) universe.
- Akshar Purush – Kaal Brahm, who is imperishable but not supreme.
- Param Akshar Purush – the Supreme God, who resides in Satlok.

Therefore, the mantra “Om” is incomplete for attaining salvation. The complete salvation mantra (Om + Tat + Sat), mentioned in Gita 17.23, is given by the Tatvadarshi Saint, mentioned in Gita 4.34.

This proves that only by taking Naam Initiation (Sarnaam) from a Complete Saint appointed by Param Akshar Brahm, can one attain eternal liberation (moksha).

️ FAQs:

Q1: What is Akshar Brahm Yoga about in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8? A1: It reveals the existence of Param Akshar Brahm, higher than the Gita speaker, and explains the path to real liberation through worship of the Supreme God.

Q2: What is the meaning of 8.3 in the Gita? A2: The speaker says that Param Akshar Brahm is the Supreme God, distinguishing Him from himself (Akshar Brahm or Kaal).

Q3: Is ‘Om’ the ultimate salvation mantra? A3: No. Verse 8.13 says ‘Om’ is the speaker’s mantra, but he also admits he is not Supreme. ‘Om’ leads to Kaal, not the Supreme Abode.

Q4: What does Gita 8.16 teach? A4: Even after reaching Brahm Lok (Kaal’s realm), souls are reborn. Only Satlok, the abode of Param Akshar Brahm, grants liberation.