ओम् इत्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन् मामअनु स्मरन्। यः प्रयाति त्यजन् देहं स याति परमां गतिम्।।8.13।।
oṁ ity ekākṣaraṁ brahma vyāharan mām anusr̥tān; yaḥ prayāti tyajant dehaṁ sa yāti paramāṁ gatim
Translation
One who, remembering Me, departs from this body after uttering the single syllable Om, attains the supreme destination.
Word Meanings
oṁ — the combination of letters oṁ (oṁ-kāra); iti — thus; eka‑akṣaraḥ — the one syllable; brahma — absolute; vyāharan — uttering, vibrating; mām — Me (Krishna); anusmaran — remembering; yaḥ — whoever; prayāti — departs; tyajant — by abandoning; dehaḥ — the body; saḥ — he; yāti — attains; paramā — supreme; gatim — destination.
Understanding the Verse
Verse 8.13 of the Bhagavad Gītā concentrates on the final moment of life, offering a concise yet profound formula for attaining moksha, or liberation, at the instant of death. The instruction is given in the context of the broader discussion in Chapter 8, where Krishna explains the nature of the soul, the material world, and the significance of one’s mental state at the moment of leaving the body.
The verse opens with the mantra “oṁ,” a sound that is considered the primordial vibration of the universe. By chanting this single syllable, a devotee aligns his consciousness with the ultimate reality (brahma). The word “iti” simply means “thus,” indicating that the syllable itself is the means of connection. The phrase “ekākṣaraṁ brahma vyāharan” therefore conveys that uttering Om is a direct expression of the divine principle.
Following the mantra, the devotee is instructed to remember “mām,” the personal form of the Supreme – Krishna. This is not a vague or abstract remembrance; it is a conscious, focused meditation on the divine personality, which transforms the act of dying from a mere biological event into a spiritual transition. The combination of a sacred sound and personal remembrance creates a double‑layered anchor for the mind, preventing it from wandering into the myriad distractions that usually arise at the time of death.
When the soul “prayāti” (departs) and “tyajant dehaṁ” (abandons the body), the state of the mind determines the destination. If the mind is still engaged with worldly desires, the soul may be drawn back into the cycle of birth and death (samsāra). However, if the mind remains centered on Om and on Krishna, the verse promises that the soul “yāti paramāṁ gatim” – it reaches the supreme goal. This supreme destination is understood as the spiritual world of Krishna, free from material illusion, where the soul enjoys eternal, unconditioned bliss.
The practical implication of this verse is clear: a disciplined spiritual practice that incorporates regular chanting of Om and heartfelt remembrance of Krishna prepares the mind for the ultimate test – the moment of death. It emphasizes that liberation is not an abstract concept reserved for rare mystics, but a reachable state for anyone who earnestly cultivates these practices. By internalizing this teaching, the devotee transforms the fear of death into a confident assurance of divine union.
In summary, BG 8.13 encapsulates the essential Gītian message that the quality of one’s consciousness at the final instant decides the soul’s destiny. The simple yet powerful formula – chant Om, remember Krishna, and depart – offers a practical roadmap for achieving the highest spiritual goal.
