📿 Shloka Collection

Om Ity Ekaksharam Brahma

Gita 8.13 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 8 — Akshara Brahma Yoga
ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन् ।
यः प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम् ॥
Om ity ekaksharam brahma vyaharan mam anusmaran,
Yah prayati tyajan deham sa yati paramam gatim.
ओम् इति
Om — this
एकाक्षरम्
single syllable
ब्रह्म
Brahman (its symbol)
व्याहरन्
uttering
माम् अनुस्मरन्
remembering Me
यः प्रयाति
whoever departs
त्यजन् देहम्
leaving the body
सः याति
that person attains
परमाम् गतिम्
the supreme goal (moksha)

Krishna completes the meditation technique. Whoever utters the single syllable Om — the sound-symbol of Brahman — while remembering God, and departs the body in this state, reaches the supreme goal: moksha.

Om is the seed-sound of all creation in the Vedic tradition. Just as hearing a person's name instantly brings their face to mind, chanting Om brings the fullness of Brahman into awareness. One small syllable contains the essence of the entire universe.

This is why every puja, every mantra, every auspicious act in tradition begins with Om. The Gita affirms what the Upanishads have long taught: this tiny syllable is the doorway to the infinite.

Shlokas 8.11, 8.12, and 8.13 together form one complete yogic sequence: sense-withdrawal, mind steadied in the heart, breath drawn to the crown, chanting of Om, remembrance of God — leading to the supreme goal. The Mandukya Upanishad is entirely devoted to Om. The Katha Upanishad too describes Om's secret to Nachiketa. The Gita presents this ancient teaching in concise, accessible language.

Chapter 8 · 13 / 28
Chapter 8 · 13 / 28 Next →