Bhagavad Gita 8.7 — Remember Me at All Times and Fight
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च ।
मय्यर्पितमनोबुद्धिर्मामेवैष्यस्यसंशयम् ॥ ८.७ ॥
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Therefore, at all times remember Me and fight. With your mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will surely come to Me alone, without doubt.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tasmāt | therefore |
| sarveṣhu | at all |
| kāleṣhu | times |
| mām | Me |
| anusmara | remember continually |
| yudhya | fight |
| cha | and |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mayi | to Me |
| arpita-manaḥ-buddhiḥ | with mind and intellect surrendered |
| mām | to Me |
| eva | alone |
| eṣhyasi | you will come |
| asaṁśhayaḥ | without doubt |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tasmāt | therefore | mayi | to Me |
| sarveṣhu | at all | arpita-manaḥ-buddhiḥ | with mind and intellect surrendered |
| kāleṣhu | times | mām | to Me |
| mām | Me | eva | alone |
| anusmara | remember continually | eṣhyasi | you will come |
| yudhya | fight | asaṁśhayaḥ | without doubt |
| cha | and | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna draws a practical conclusion for Arjuna. Since the final thought depends on constant absorption, he should remember the Lord at all times and also fight, with mind and intellect surrendered to Him, and thus he will surely reach Him.
Essence
Remember Me at All Times, and Do Your Duty
This verse is one of the most famous and practical in the Gita. It addresses a concern that Arjuna and many seekers might have: if I must always remember the Lord, how can I fulfil my duties in the world?
Tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu (therefore, at all times): The word tasmāt, 'therefore', links this verse to the previous teaching. Since the final thought depends on constant practice, the practice cannot be reserved for a particular time. It must be woven into life.
Mām anusmara (remember Me continuously): The word anusmara suggests a steady, repeated remembrance, running in the background of the mind like a thread through a necklace.
Yudhya ca (and fight): Lord Krishna does not tell Arjuna to withdraw from the battlefield to meditate. He tells him to fight. This is a central message of the Gita: spirituality does not mean renouncing duty. A person can do their work with full energy and skill while keeping the Lord in the heart. Remembrance and action do not compete. They support each other.
Mayy arpita-mano-buddhiḥ (with mind and intellect offered to Me): This describes the inner attitude that makes this possible. The mind (with its feelings and thoughts) and the intellect (with its decisions and judgments) are offered to the Lord. Actions then become acts of service instead of acts of ego.
Mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayaḥ (you will surely come to Me alone, without doubt): The promise is again clear and unambiguous. Surrender combined with right action leads to the Lord.
Harmony of work and devotion: This verse resolves an apparent tension between worldly responsibility and spiritual aspiration. We are not asked to choose between them. We are asked to carry out our responsibilities as an offering, with a mind that stays anchored in the Divine.
Message for Everyday Life (Working with a Remembering Heart)
Bring remembrance into work: Many people think of spiritual practice as something separate from their jobs and family lives. This verse invites us to combine them.
Practical approach: Start your workday with a brief prayer or intention to do your work as an offering. Pause briefly between tasks to remember the Divine, even for a breath or two. At the end of the day, offer the results, whether good or bad, with gratitude. Over time, work becomes lighter and more meaningful.
Remember Me at All Times, and Do Your Duty
This verse is one of the most famous and practical in the Gita. It addresses a concern that Arjuna and many seekers might have: if I must always remember the Lord, how can I fulfil my duties in the world?
Tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu (therefore, at all times): The word tasmāt, 'therefore', links this verse to the previous teaching. Since the final thought depends on constant practice, the practice cannot be reserved for a particular time. It must be woven into life.
Mām anusmara (remember Me continuously): The word anusmara suggests a steady, repeated remembrance, running in the background of the mind like a thread through a necklace.
Yudhya ca (and fight): Lord Krishna does not tell Arjuna to withdraw from the battlefield to meditate. He tells him to fight. This is a central message of the Gita: spirituality does not mean renouncing duty. A person can do their work with full energy and skill while keeping the Lord in the heart. Remembrance and action do not compete. They support each other.
Mayy arpita-mano-buddhiḥ (with mind and intellect offered to Me): This describes the inner attitude that makes this possible. The mind (with its feelings and thoughts) and the intellect (with its decisions and judgments) are offered to the Lord. Actions then become acts of service instead of acts of ego.
Mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayaḥ (you will surely come to Me alone, without doubt): The promise is again clear and unambiguous. Surrender combined with right action leads to the Lord.
Harmony of work and devotion: This verse resolves an apparent tension between worldly responsibility and spiritual aspiration. We are not asked to choose between them. We are asked to carry out our responsibilities as an offering, with a mind that stays anchored in the Divine.
Message for Everyday Life (Working with a Remembering Heart)
Bring remembrance into work: Many people think of spiritual practice as something separate from their jobs and family lives. This verse invites us to combine them.
Practical approach: Start your workday with a brief prayer or intention to do your work as an offering. Pause briefly between tasks to remember the Divine, even for a breath or two. At the end of the day, offer the results, whether good or bad, with gratitude. Over time, work becomes lighter and more meaningful.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has taught Arjuna to remember Him at all times while carrying out his duty. He now explains how this remembrance is to be cultivated through steady practice, with a mind that does not wander elsewhere.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Hands in the world, heart with the Divine.
A remembered anchor steadies the stormiest day.
Work done in remembrance becomes worship.
Be fully present in the task and in the remembrance.
Offer your thinking, and your thinking becomes clear.
Remember always, not only when convenient.
Duty carried with devotion is light.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'sarveṣhu kāleṣhu' (at all times) mean?
Why does Krishna say 'yudhya' (fight) along with remembrance?
What is 'arpita-manaḥ-buddhiḥ' (with mind and intellect surrendered)?
What does 'asaṁśhayaḥ' (without doubt) express?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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