bhagavad-gitagitakrishnaakshara-brahma-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 8.6 — Yam Yam Vapi Smaran Bhavam

श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ८.६ — यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं

🕉️ hindu·📿 108× repetitions·🕐 Daily, especially in the evening or before sleep, and as a lifelong practice of remembrance·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 6

Also known as: yam yam vapi smaran bhavam · yam yam va api smaran bhavam tyajaty ante kalevaram · bhagavad gita 8.6 · gita 8 6 · final thought at death verse · tad bhava bhavitah

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

This famous verse reveals the power of the final thought at the moment of death. Whatever state of being one remembers while leaving the body, that very state one attains in the next life — because the last thought is shaped by a lifetime of contemplation. It teaches that we become what we constantly dwell upon, and so inspires the practice of remembering the Divine throughout life, so that He becomes our natural final thought.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 6 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the eighth chapter, Akshara-Brahma Yoga, Krishna answers Arjuna's questions about the Supreme, the soul, and what happens at death. He explains that the state of mind at the moment of departure determines one's future state, and then advises constant remembrance of the Divine so that the final thought leads to the highest goal.

✦ As told in scripture

Tradition recalls how Bharata, despite his great penance, was reborn as a deer because his final thought clung to a fawn he loved — a vivid illustration of this verse — while devotees who remember the Lord at the last moment are said to attain Him; hence saints urge lifelong remembrance.

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The Mantra

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यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं त्यजत्यन्ते कलेवरम्। तं तमेवैति कौन्तेय सदा तद्भावभावितः॥

yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ tyajatyante kalevaram taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ

Meaning:Whatever state of being one remembers when leaving the body at the end, O son of Kunti, that very state one attains, having always been absorbed in its contemplation.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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यं यम्🔊yam yamwhatever

वा🔊vāor

अपि🔊apieven

स्मरन्🔊smaranremembering

भावम्🔊bhāvamstate of being, object of thought

त्यजति🔊tyajatigives up

अन्ते🔊anteat the end (of life)

कलेवरम्🔊kalevaramthe body

तम् तम्🔊tam tamto that very (state)

एव🔊evacertainly

एति🔊etigets, attains

कौन्तेय🔊kaunteyaO son of Kunti (Arjuna)

सदा🔊sadāalways

तद्भावभावितः🔊tat-bhāva-bhāvitaḥabsorbed in contemplation of that state

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 8.6 — Yam Yam Vapi Smaran Bhavam

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Reveals the decisive importance of one's final thought at death

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Inspires constant remembrance of the Divine throughout life

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Teaches that we become what we habitually contemplate

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Encourages a steady spiritual practice so the last thought is of God

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Brings fearlessness about death through preparation and remembrance

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Guides the seeker toward a higher rebirth and ultimately liberation

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 8.6 — Yam Yam Vapi Smaran Bhavam

Repetitions108times

Best TimeDaily, especially in the evening or before sleep, and as a lifelong practice of remembrance

Recite this verse to remind yourself to cultivate constant remembrance of the Divine, since the final thought reflects a lifetime of habit. Practising God-remembrance daily — especially at night before sleep, which is a small 'death' each day — trains the mind so that the Lord becomes the natural last thought. Chant it on a mala and let it strengthen your resolve to fill life with sacred remembrance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Krishna teaches that whatever one remembers at the moment of leaving the body determines one's next state of existence. Because the final thought is shaped by lifelong contemplation, the verse stresses cultivating the right remembrance throughout life so that one's last thought leads to a higher destiny.

Not exactly. The verse says the final thought is decisive, but it also notes that this thought arises from being 'always absorbed' in that contemplation. So the last thought is really the fruit of one's lifelong habits of mind, which is why steady practice during life is essential.

In the very next verse Krishna gives the practical instruction: 'Therefore, remember Me at all times and fight.' Having explained that the final thought shapes one's destiny, He advises constant remembrance of Him alongside performing one's duty, so that the Divine becomes one's natural last thought.

By cultivating remembrance of the Divine consistently throughout life through japa, prayer, devotion and righteous living. Just as practice makes any thought spontaneous, lifelong God-remembrance makes the Lord the natural object of the mind even at the final moment.