Chapter 8, Verse 28 (Bhagavad Gita 8.28)
Chapter 8: Akṣhar Brahma Yog – Path of the Eternal God
Sanskrit Shloka
वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टम्। अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम्
Transliteration
vedeṣhu yajñeṣhu tapaḥsu chaiva dāneṣhu yat puṇya-phalaṁ pradiṣhṭam atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti chādyam
Word Meanings
vedeṣhu—in the study of the Vedas; yajñeṣhu—in performance of sacrifices; tapaḥsu—in austerities; cha—and; eva—certainly; dāneṣhu—in giving charities; yat—which; puṇya-phalam—fruit of merit; pradiṣhṭam—is gained; atyeti—surpasses; tat sarvam—all; idam—this; viditvā—having known; yogī—a yogi; param—Supreme; sthānam—Abode; upaiti—achieves; cha—and; ādyam—original
Translation
Having realized this truth, the Yogi transcends all the meritorious fruits derived from the study of the Vedas, the performance of sacrifices, the practice of austerities, and the giving of charity; such a soul attains the Supreme, Primal Abode of Lord Krishna.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna elevates the seeker beyond the path of ritualistic piety, which yields only temporary heavenly rewards. By fully comprehending the mystery of the two paths mentioned previously, the devotee sheds the desire for finite fruits and attains the eternal, transcendental state of union with the Divine. Shri Krishna assures Arjuna that when one realizes Him as the Ultimate Goal, all worldly religious duties are subsumed into the singular act of loving surrender. This liberation is not merely a cessation of suffering, but an entry into the eternal, blissful realm of the Supreme Lord. Thus, the Yogi who resides in this consciousness transcends the cycle of birth and death forever.