8.3 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 8, Verse 3

In Bhagavad Gita 8.3, Lord Krishna begins answering Arjuna's six profound questions about key spiritual concepts. The verse reads: "The Supreme Lord said, The indestructible, transcendental living entity is called Brahman, and his eternal nature is called the self. Action pertaining to the development of material bodies is called karma."

Krishna introduces three fundamental concepts in this verse. First, He explains that Brahman refers to the imperishable, supreme reality that cannot be destroyed. This is the essential spiritual nature of all living entities (jivas). While the individual soul is Brahman, Krishna Himself is Parabrahman, the Supreme Brahman—an important distinction highlighting the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme.

Next, Krishna defines Adhyatma (self-knowledge or individual nature) as svabhava—the eternal nature of the soul. This refers to the soul's inherent quality and disposition. In its pure form, the soul's nature is to serve the Supreme Lord. However, when conditioned by material existence, this nature becomes obscured, leading the soul to attempt to dominate rather than serve. Understanding this innate spiritual nature is the beginning of liberation from material bondage.

The third concept Krishna explains is Karma, which He describes as the force that produces the existence and manifestation of beings. Karma refers to actions that lead to the formation of material bodies, binding the soul to the cycle of birth and death. These are actions performed with desire and ego-attachment rather than as offerings to God. Every action—physical, mental, or verbal—leaves an impression (sanskar) that determines future experiences.

This verse establishes a profound spiritual framework: we are eternal spiritual beings (Brahman) with an inherent nature (Adhyatma) currently bound by our actions (Karma). The material body and its circumstances are temporary manifestations, while the soul itself remains indestructible and transcendental. This understanding forms the foundation for spiritual awakening.

By distinguishing between these concepts, Krishna helps Arjuna recognize the difference between the temporary material existence and eternal spiritual reality. The soul, being Brahman, is never destroyed even when the body perishes—a crucial understanding for Arjuna who is hesitant to fight due to fear of causing death. Krishna is guiding Arjuna to see beyond material appearances to the eternal nature of existence.

Krishna's explanation reveals how our actions in material consciousness perpetuate the cycle of birth and death. When we perform actions with desire for results and a sense of doership, we create karma that binds us to material existence. However, when we understand our true nature as spiritual beings and act as an offering to the Supreme, these same actions can lead to liberation rather than bondage.

This verse invites us to reflect on our own existence—to recognize that beyond our changing physical form lies an unchanging spiritual essence. It challenges us to examine the nature of our actions and their consequences. Are we acting from material desires that bind us further to the cycle of birth and death? Or are we acting in alignment with our true spiritual nature, offering our actions to the Supreme? This understanding forms the basis for Krishna's guidance to Arjuna on how to act in the world without incurring karma, by maintaining focus on the Supreme Lord.