At this time, Arjuna is essentially sitting there with a completely stunned expression. Krishna has instructed him on karma, knowledge, meditation, and the Divine itself. However, one question remains unanswered—the most fundamental. The one that keeps even the strongest among us up at 3 a.m.
“What happens when we die?”
And deeper still:
“What exactly is this ‘I’ that never dies?”
That’s where Adhyay 8 starts.
Arjuna’s Big Question: “What is the Eternal?”
Arjuna, as curious and honest as ever, throws a barrage of questions: “Krishna, what is Brahman?” “What is karma?” “What is the self?” “What happens at the time of death?” Essentially, he asks, “What’s permanent in this mess of life?” Krishna does not avoid it. He stares straight through the illusions and responds:
“Brahman is the highest imperishable reality.It is beyond birth and death, beyond all duality.Every being is born from it, lives through it, and returns to it.”
The Imperishable Soul (Akshara Brahma)
Krishna teaches Arjuna that everything we touch, see, and feel is only transient. Bodies age. Relationships shift. Empires disintegrate. Memories fade. But there is something that never dies: the Atman, the pure self.
“This unchanging Self, untouched by birth or death, is the same in everyone.Those who know this truth go beyond sorrow.”
The “you” who panics, dreams, fights, and worries isn’t the true you. It’s like wearing a thousand masks and forgetting there’s a face underneath.
The Power of Final Awareness
Krishna introduces a significant concept: your mental state after death influences your consciousness’s next destination.
“Whatever thought dominates your mind at the time of death, that you become.”
That is intense. He isn’t being poetic; he’s explaining how awareness works. Obsessions with money, fear, or ego can continue to alter one’s awareness after death. Living with knowledge, truth, and commitment can lead to release rather than panic in your final moments.
Arjuna’s Doubt:
“Is that even possible?” Arjuna inquires, “Krishna, how can a person stay mindful in the chaos of dying?” Krishna explains gently.
“By living with awareness now.Whatever you meditate on constantly throughout life will come to mind naturally at death.”
In summary, spirituality does not emerge at the end of life. You get there by living your life. Meditation is not a preparation for dying. It’s preparation for life, so you won’t be shaken even when you die.
The Two Paths Following Death
Krishna unveils a cosmic law that completely blows Arjuna’s head. Following death, the soul might take one of two eternal paths:
1. The bright path (way of light): Those who live with knowledge, truth, and devotion achieve liberation and eternal unity with the Divine.
2. The dark path (way of return): Those caught in ignorance, desire, or material attachment are reborn repeatedly until they understand the truth. Simply put, your consciousness determines your world.
The Eternal Beyond Time
Krishna continues,
“There is a realm beyond day and night, beyond creation and destruction.That realm is my supreme abode, where souls who reach it never return.”
This is not about a distant heaven. He describes a condition of consciousness where you understand you are not the body, mind, or story. You are consciousness itself. Time ceases making sense there. You become one with Akshara Brahma, the eternal pulse that drives all life.
Important Conversation: Krishna & Arjuna
Arjuna: “Krishna, tell me truly — what happens when a devoted person dies?”
Krishna: “If they remember me with unwavering faith, their soul merges into the divine light. They do not return to this world of suffering.”
Arjuna: “And those who can’t remember?”
Krishna: “They return to the cycle of birth and death until they learn to see truth clearly. But even small efforts in yoga never go to waste. Every spark of awareness adds up.”
Arjuna: “So death isn’t an end?”
Krishna:“No. It’s a transition — like changing clothes. What you wear next depends on what you’ve been becoming inside.”
Spiritual Takeaways for Modern Life
Most individuals today prefer not to worry about dying. We bury the issue under amusement, ambition, or denial. But Krishna’s message here is not depressing. He is saying, “Wake up.” You are immortal. Stop acting as if you are only here for a short while. You may lose your work, but not your soul. You can lose your body but not your identity. You can lose everything but remain as consciousness itself. Once you understand this, fear loses its grip. You cease living little. You start focusing on what is truly important: awareness, love, compassion, and purpose.
Essence of Chapter 8
The soul (Atman) is immortal, unchangeable, and indestructible. The state of consciousness after death reflects the life you have lived. Meditation and mindfulness prepare you for freedom rather than fear. There are two cosmic paths: the road of light (freedom) and the path of rebirth. Knowing the unchanging truth makes life more fearless and meaningful.
Akshara Brahma Yoga isn’t about dying; it’s about how to live such that even death submits to you. Understanding that the soul never dies leads to greater awareness and less anxiety. You stop pursuing moments and start being the moment. That is immortality. Not in the body, but in consciousness. And it is precisely what Krishna wants Arjuna—and you—to remember: You were never born. You will not die. You are the eternal witness to both.
