Bhagavad Gita 8.1 — Arjuna's Questions about Brahman, the Self and Action
अर्जुन उवाच ।
किं तद्ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम ।
अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥ ८.१ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
Arjuna said: O Supreme Person, what is that Brahman, what is the Self (adhyātma), and what is action (karma)? What is declared to be adhibhūta (the material realm), and what is said to be adhidaiva (the divine realm)?
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kim | what |
| tat | that |
| brahma | Brahman, the Supreme Reality |
| kim | what |
| adhyātmam | adhyātma, the nature of the individual Self |
| kim | what |
| karma | action |
| puruṣha-uttama | O Supreme Person, Krishna |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| adhibhūtam | adhibhūta, the governing principle of the material world |
| cha | and |
| kim | what |
| proktam | is declared, is said |
| adhidaivam | adhidaiva, the governing principle of the divine beings |
| kim | what |
| uchyate | is called |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| kim | what | adhibhūtam | adhibhūta, the governing principle of the material world |
| tat | that | cha | and |
| brahma | Brahman, the Supreme Reality | kim | what |
| kim | what | proktam | is declared, is said |
| adhyātmam | adhyātma, the nature of the individual Self | adhidaivam | adhidaiva, the governing principle of the divine beings |
| kim | what | kim | what |
| karma | action | uchyate | is called |
| puruṣha-uttama | O Supreme Person, Krishna | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Chapter 7 ended with Lord Krishna mentioning several unfamiliar terms: Brahman, adhyātma, karma, adhibhūta, adhidaiva, and adhiyajña. Curious and eager to understand, Arjuna opens Chapter 8 by asking the Lord to explain exactly what each of these means.
Essence
Arjuna's Seven Questions Begin the Chapter
Chapter 8 begins not with a teaching but with a question. This is typical of the Gita: Arjuna listens carefully, notices what he has not understood, and asks for clarification. His questions show an honest and attentive student, one who does not pretend to understand when he does not.
Kiṁ tad brahma (What is that Brahman?): In the previous chapter, Lord Krishna said that those who take refuge in Him know Brahman completely. Arjuna asks what this Brahman actually is.
Kim adhyātmam (What is adhyātma?): This refers to the nature of the individual self and its inner reality. Arjuna wants to know what the term means in this context.
Kiṁ karma (What is karma?): The word karma is used so often in the Gita that it might seem obvious, but Arjuna asks here for the specific meaning that the Lord has in mind in this context.
Adhibhūtaṁ ca kiṁ proktam (And what is called adhibhūta?): This is the domain of material, perishable existence.
Adhidaivaṁ kim ucyate (And what is called adhidaiva?): This refers to the divine, governing principle behind the cosmos.
Puruṣottama (O Supreme Person): Arjuna addresses Lord Krishna with a title of reverence. It shows his attitude as a student: he approaches the Lord with respect, acknowledging Him as the highest source of knowledge.
The value of good questions: Arjuna's questions are precise and organised, and they set up the entire structure of the chapter. Spiritual progress often depends on the quality of our questions. A teacher can only answer what the student is willing to ask, and humility in asking is a mark of a sincere seeker.
Message for Everyday Life (The Courage to Ask)
Do not pretend to understand: Many people hesitate to ask questions out of fear of appearing ignorant, whether at work, in studies, or in matters of faith.
Practical approach: When you meet an idea you do not fully understand, note it down and seek an answer from a teacher, a book, or a thoughtful friend. Ask respectfully and sincerely. Treating curiosity as a strength rather than a weakness keeps learning alive throughout life.
Arjuna's Seven Questions Begin the Chapter
Chapter 8 begins not with a teaching but with a question. This is typical of the Gita: Arjuna listens carefully, notices what he has not understood, and asks for clarification. His questions show an honest and attentive student, one who does not pretend to understand when he does not.
Kiṁ tad brahma (What is that Brahman?): In the previous chapter, Lord Krishna said that those who take refuge in Him know Brahman completely. Arjuna asks what this Brahman actually is.
Kim adhyātmam (What is adhyātma?): This refers to the nature of the individual self and its inner reality. Arjuna wants to know what the term means in this context.
Kiṁ karma (What is karma?): The word karma is used so often in the Gita that it might seem obvious, but Arjuna asks here for the specific meaning that the Lord has in mind in this context.
Adhibhūtaṁ ca kiṁ proktam (And what is called adhibhūta?): This is the domain of material, perishable existence.
Adhidaivaṁ kim ucyate (And what is called adhidaiva?): This refers to the divine, governing principle behind the cosmos.
Puruṣottama (O Supreme Person): Arjuna addresses Lord Krishna with a title of reverence. It shows his attitude as a student: he approaches the Lord with respect, acknowledging Him as the highest source of knowledge.
The value of good questions: Arjuna's questions are precise and organised, and they set up the entire structure of the chapter. Spiritual progress often depends on the quality of our questions. A teacher can only answer what the student is willing to ask, and humility in asking is a mark of a sincere seeker.
Message for Everyday Life (The Courage to Ask)
Do not pretend to understand: Many people hesitate to ask questions out of fear of appearing ignorant, whether at work, in studies, or in matters of faith.
Practical approach: When you meet an idea you do not fully understand, note it down and seek an answer from a teacher, a book, or a thoughtful friend. Ask respectfully and sincerely. Treating curiosity as a strength rather than a weakness keeps learning alive throughout life.
Next Topic
Arjuna has asked about Brahman, adhyātma, karma, adhibhūta, and adhidaiva. He still has two more questions in mind, concerning adhiyajña and how the Lord can be known at the time of death, which he asks in the next verse.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Questions are the seeds of wisdom.
Define the words and the path becomes clear.
Ask without pride, and the answer is closer.
Teaching lives in the space between question and answer.
Ask the questions that matter most.
To ask the right person is half of learning.
Every answer opens a better question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'brahma' (the Supreme Reality) mean in Arjuna's first question?
What are 'adhyātma' (the nature of the Self) and 'karma' (action) in Arjuna's questions?
What are 'adhibhūta' (the governing principle of the material world) and 'adhidaiva' (the governing principle of the divine beings)?
Why is Krishna addressed as 'puruṣhottama' (Supreme Person)?
What is the practical message of this verse?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: