Chapter 8: Attaining the Supreme

TEXT 1
arjuna uvaca
kim tad brahma kim adhyatmam
kim karma purusottama
adhibhutam ca kim proktam
adhidaivam kim ucyate

SYNONYMS
arjunaù uväca—Arjuna said; kim—what; tat—that; brahma—Brahman; kim—
what; adhyätmam—the self; kim—what; karma—fruitive activities; puruñottama—O
Supreme Person; adhibhütam—the material manifestation; ca—and; kim—
what; proktam—is called; adhidaivam—the demigods; kim—what; ucyate—is called.
TRANSLATION
Arjuna inquired: O my Lord, O Supreme Person, what is Brahman? What is the
self? What are fruitive activities? What is this material manifestation? And what
are the demigods? Please explain this to me.
PURPORT
In this chapter Lord Kåñëa answers these different questions of Arjuna beginning
with, "What is Brahman?" The Lord also explains karma, fruitive activities, devotional
service and yoga principles, and devotional service in its pure form. The Çrémad-
Bhägavatam explains that the Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Brahman,
Paramätmä, and Bhagavän. In addition, the living entity, individual soul, is also called
Brahman. Arjuna also inquires about ätmä, which refers to body, soul and mind.
According to the Vedic dictionary, ätmä refers to the mind, soul, body and senses also.
Arjuna has addressed the Supreme Lord as Puruñottama, Supreme Person, which
means that he was putting these questions not simply to a friend but to the Supreme
Person, knowing Him to be the supreme authority able to give definitive answers.