In accordance with the title of the chapter is its commencement! The eighth chapter is entitled the Yoga of Imperishable Supreme. The first question of Arjun relates to Brahmn. In answer to his question the Blessed Lord gave expression to the relevance of the title of this chapter! The world is perishable; whatever is visible through these physical eyes, all that is perishable-'yaddrishtam tannashtam! There is nothing which remains in the same shape and in uniformity forever. Change is constantly taking place; every particle of this world is changing every moment. The Supreme is the only one in whom there is at any point of time, no change in the least, then how can one imagine even destruction? That is why the Supreme is the only one Who is imperishable. Without the imperishable even the perishable has no existence. Everything in the world is dependent on the Supreme Divine. For this reason, Brahmn is imperishable and the superiormost.

'Svabho 'dhyatmamucyate'-in itself it is a spectacular and profound thought of the Gita! And why should it not be so? The Gita is in itself a wonderful and an absolutely mysterious philosophical knowledge in the context of world literature. The evidence is such thought-filled inspiration. What is Adhyatma? A very useful question put forward by Arjun! The Blessed Lord's answer amazes even thinkers and deliberators. One's own essential nature or 'swabhav' is Adhyatma.

It is not very easy to understand 'Adhyatma'. Invariably religious activities, worship and reading of scripture are taken to be Adhyatma. All these are positive indicators pointing in the direction of Adhyatma but are not Adhyatma in themselves. Adhyatma is the embodied being's essential nature. There are several deep connotations hidden in this word.

The essence of Adhyatma should not remain restricted to just activities; it should descend into one's nature. What is the essence of Adhyatma and how can it be viewed by relating it to the nature of the embodied being? Adhyatma is associated with the Self, the essential Truth principle. The soul is the nature of the embodied being, the true nature. The nature of any object is such that without it, it will have no entity. The nature of fire is that of heat and the nature of water is that of liquidity and coolness. If the water is hot, it is not that it's nature but that is superimposed by fire. Take it away from heat, the water will again regain its coolness.

Adhyatma is the nature of the embodied being. The state of embodied being, his serenity, his entity is non-existent without Adhyatma. Desire, anger, greed, delusion and egoism are not the inherent nature of the embodied being but a superimposition of the world. The embodied being cannot remain always in this. Adhyatma is the demand of the embodied being; every embodied being has to accept Adhyatma; without this the embodied being has no existence. The result of materialism is restlessness and the true demand of the embodied being is peace. Peace is not possible without Adhyatma. For this reason too Adhyatma has been called the essential nature or swabhav of the embodied being. That the embodied being should come into his true nature; should take off his superimposed nature!

The third question of Arjun is 'kim karma purusottam'. O Purushottam Shri Krishna what is known as karma? The answer to this question is given in the Lord's characteristic and philosophical style:

The first action of the creation! The Supreme who is the serene, immutable, eternal, unmoving power. Nature of the Absolute is actionless! One movement of consciousness in the Absolute-'eko aham bahusyaam' I am one; now I should become many. Thereafter, started the process of the creation of the world. The unparralled, incomparable, one without a second, philosopher, Lord Shri Krishna answers touching the very root of action.

'Bhutabhavodbhavakaro visargah karmasanjnitah' the sacrifice which brings beings into existence is called action. Gita has a unique experience of the glory of the yoga of action which is not a scripture which favours the renunciation of action but advocates action done in the spirit of renunciation. Understand this inspiration. Adhayatma is our true principle of existence, the tendencies and deformities, etc. are superimposed on it. Begin the process of renouncing it. While performing action one should renounce accumulation, selfishness, personal gain. Action should not take place in such a manner that adhyatma is lost sight of and superimpositions keep on growing. Understand your basic nature; remain tranquil and stable. Action should be done in the spirit of removing the coverings which have come on it!

The answer to Arjun's question is given in the following verse: