Chapter 8, Verse 20 (Bhagavad Gita 8.20)
Chapter 8: Akṣhar Brahma Yog – Path of the Eternal God
Sanskrit Shloka
परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः। यः स सर्वेषु भूतेषु नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति
Transliteration
paras tasmāt tu bhāvo ’nyo ’vyakto ’vyaktāt sanātanaḥ yaḥ sa sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu naśhyatsu na vinaśhyati
Word Meanings
paraḥ—transcendental; tasmāt—than that; tu—but; bhāvaḥ—creation; anyaḥ—another; avyaktaḥ—unmanifest; avyaktāt—to the unmanifest; sanātanaḥ—eternal; yaḥ—who; saḥ—that; sarveṣhu—all; bhūteṣhu—in beings; naśhyatsu—cease to exist; na—never; vinaśhyati—is annihilated
Translation
But truly, there exists another Unmanifested, which is eternal and higher than this unmanifest; it is not destroyed even when all beings are destroyed.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Lord Krishna unveils the existence of the Supreme Abode, which transcends the temporary cycles of cosmic manifestation and dissolution. While the material unmanifest—the prakriti or primordial nature—undergoes transformation, the spiritual realm of Lord Krishna remains eternally unaffected and immutable. By guiding Arjuna toward this higher reality, Lord Krishna invites the seeker to look beyond the ephemeral world of names and forms. Only by attaining this eternal, transcendental state of consciousness can the soul achieve true liberation and break free from the cycle of birth and death. It is the ultimate invitation from Bhagwan Shri Krishna to realize our true nature as eternal, spiritual beings dwelling in His divine grace.