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Bhagavad-gītā 7.30

साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदु: । प्रयाणकालेऽपि च मां ते विदुर्युक्तचेतस: ॥ ३० ॥
sādhibhūtādhidaivaṁ māṁ
[saadhibhootaadhidaivam maam]
sādhiyajñaṁ ca ye viduḥ
[saadhiyajnam cha ye viduh]
prayāṇa-kāle ’pi ca māṁ
[prayaana-kaale ’pi cha maam]
te vidur yukta-cetasaḥ
[te vidur yukta-chetasah]
Word-for-word
sa - adhibhūta — and the governing principle of the material manifestation adhidaivam — governing all the demigods mām — Me sa - adhiyajñam — and governing all sacrifices ca — also ye — those who viduḥ — know prayāṇa — of death kāle — at the time api — even ca — and mām — Me te — they viduḥ — know yukta - cetasaḥ — their minds engaged in Me .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sādhibhūtādhidaivaṁ māṁ
sa - adhibhūta
and the governing principle of the material manifestation
adhidaivam
governing all the demigods
mām
Me
sādhiyajñaṁ ca ye viduḥ
sa - adhiyajñam
and governing all sacrifices
ca
also
ye
those who
viduḥ
know
prayāṇa-kāle ’pi ca māṁ
prayāṇa
of death
kāle
at the time
api
even
ca
and
mām
Me
te vidur yukta-cetasaḥ
te
they
viduḥ
know
yukta - cetasaḥ
their minds engaged in Me .
Important Words
  • sa - adhibhūta — and the governing principle of the material manifestation
    Compound: sa (with) + adhibhūta (the principle over the material). The first of three adhi- terms the chapter ends with — chapter 8 will open by defining each.
  • adhidaivam — governing all the demigods
    adhi (over) + daiva (the divine, demigods). The principle ruling the demigod realm. The second of the three.
  • sa - adhiyajñam — and governing all sacrifices
    sa + adhi + yajña (sacrifice). The principle of sacrifice. The third. Together, the three names triangulate Kṛṣṇa's lordship over matter, gods, and ritual — the full vertical of cosmic operation.
  • prayāṇa — of death
    From pra + √yā (to go forth, to depart). Literally 'going-forth.' Coupled with kāle (at the time), the compound means the soul's departing moment. The chapter that opened with the promise of full knowledge now closes with the test-moment of all knowledge: the soul's last conscious instant.
  • yukta - cetasaḥ — their minds engaged in Me
    Compound: yukta (linked, engaged) + cetas (consciousness, mind). The final word of the chapter, and its operative answer: steady, yoked consciousness aimed at Him. Everything chapter 7 has taught lands in this compound.
Those in full consciousness of Me, who know Me, the Supreme Lord, to be the governing principle of the material manifestation, of the demigods, and of all methods of sacrifice, can understand and know Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even at the time of death.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Those who recognize Kṛṣṇa as the encompassing reality behind matter (adhibhūta), the devas (adhidaiva), and sacrifice (adhiyajña) keep that recognition even at the moment of death. The chapter ends with a promise that mature devotion does not desert one at the most disorienting moment.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Yukta-cetasaḥ — 'with composed minds' — names the dying yogin who has so integrated Kṛṣṇa-consciousness that prayāṇa-kāla cannot scramble it. The triad adhibhūta / adhidaiva / adhiyajña foreshadows Arjuna's questions opening BG 8 — Kṛṣṇa has set up the next chapter's agenda. The closing verse thus pivots from theology (chapter 7) to soteriology of the death-moment (chapter 8).
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
ये साधिभूत-अधिदैवं साधियज्ञं च मां विदुः, ते युक्त-चेतसः प्रयाण-काले अपि च मां विदुः ।
ye sādhibhūta-adhidaivaṃ sādhiyajñaṃ ca māṃ viduḥ, te yukta-cetasaḥ prayāṇa-kāle api ca māṃ viduḥ |
Those who know Me as encompassing the adhibhūta, the adhidaiva, and the adhiyajña — they, with composed minds, know Me even at the time of departure.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
स-अधिभूत-अधिदैवं मां स-अधियज्ञं च ये विदुः । प्रयाण-काले अपि च मां ते विदुः युक्त-चेतसः ॥
sa-adhibhūta-adhidaivaṃ māṃ sa-adhiyajñaṃ ca ye viduḥ | prayāṇa-kāle api ca māṃ te viduḥ yukta-cetasaḥ ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
स-अधिभूत-अधिदैवम् sa-adhibhūta-adhidaivam स + अधिभूत + अधिदैव (n.) acc.sg. (accusative singular)m., bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) together with adhibhūta and adhidaiva
माम् mām अस्मद् pron. (pronoun) acc.sg. (accusative singular) Me
स-अधियज्ञम् sa-adhiyajñam स + अधियज्ञ (m.) acc.sg. (accusative singular), bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) together with adhiyajña
च ca ind. (conj.) and
ये ye यद् pron. (pronoun) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. those who
विदुः viduḥ √विद् perf. (perfect) 3pl.par. (present sense) they know
प्रयाण-काले prayāṇa-kāle प्रयाण + काल (m.) tatpuruṣa cpd. (compound) loc.sg. (locative singular) at the time of departure
अपि api ind. (emph.) even
ते te तद् pron. (pronoun) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. they
युक्त-चेतसः yukta-cetasaḥ युक्त p.p.p. (past passive participle) + चेतस् (n.) bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. of disciplined minds
Purport

Persons acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are never deviated from the path of entirely understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the transcendental association of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can understand how the Supreme Lord is the governing principle of the material manifestation and even of the demigods. Gradually, by such transcendental association, one becomes convinced of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and at the time of death such a Kṛṣṇa conscious person can never forget Kṛṣṇa. Naturally he is thus promoted to the planet of the Supreme Lord, Goloka Vṛndāvana. This Seventh Chapter particularly explains how one can become a fully Kṛṣṇa conscious person. The beginning of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is association of persons who are Kṛṣṇa conscious. Such association is spiritual and puts one directly in touch with the Supreme Lord, and, by His grace, one can understand Kṛṣṇa to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At the same time one can really understand the constitutional position of the living entity and how the living entity forgets Kṛṣṇa and becomes entangled in material activities. By gradual development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in good association, the living entity can understand that due to forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa he has become conditioned by the laws of material nature. He can also understand that this human form of life is an opportunity to regain Kṛṣṇa consciousness and that it should be fully utilized to attain the causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord. Many subjects have been discussed in this chapter: the man in distress, the inquisitive man, the man in want of material necessities, knowledge of Brahman, knowledge of Paramātmā, liberation from birth, death and diseases, and worship of the Supreme Lord. However, he who is actually elevated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not care for the different processes. He simply directly engages himself in activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thereby factually attains his constitutional position as an eternal servitor of Lord Kṛṣṇa. In such a situation he takes pleasure in hearing and glorifying the Supreme Lord in pure devotional service. He is convinced that by his doing so, all his objectives will be fulfilled. This determined faith is called dṛḍha-vrata, and it is the beginning of bhakti-yoga, or transcendental loving service. That is the verdict of all scriptures. This Seventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā is the substance of that conviction. Thus end the Bhaktivedanta Purports to the Seventh Chapter of the Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā in the matter of Knowledge of the Absolute.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
30. Those who know Me along with matter, who know Me as the controller of devas, and who know My presence in sacrifice, fixed in knowledge, will know Me even at the time of death.
Commentary

Those who develop such knowledge of Me by the influence of devotion to Me maintain that knowledge even at the time of death. It is not like the intelligence of others, established by karma, which varies according to the future body. The terms adhibhūta, adhidaiva and adhiyajña will be explained in the next chapter. The devotees alone, enumerated as six types, [Note: These types are three sakāma devotees mentioned in verse 16, the mokṣa-kāma-bhakta mentioned in vesre 29, the niskāma-jñāna-miśra-bhakta mentioned in verse 16, and the kevala-bhakta mentioned in verse 1.]who know the truth about the Lord, cross over māyā. This has been presented as the meaning of the chapter. Thus, the commentary on the seventh chapter of the Gītā has been completed for the pleasure of the devotees’ minds, through the mercy of the ācāryas.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
30. Those who know Me along with matter, the controller of devas, and My presence in sacrifice, fixed in knowledge, will know Me even at the time of death.
Commentary

That knowledge attained by their service to Me is never destroyed. Those who know Me along with the body (adhibhūta), the universal form (adhidaiva) and paramātmā (adhiyajña), through the association of devotees, know Me even at the time of death. They are not like others who, being confused at that time, forget Me. My devotees of five types know Me in truth and they cross over My māyā. This has been described in the seventh chapter. Chapter 8

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Commentary

Three other concepts are mentioned in this verse: (1) Adhibhuta (2) Adhidaiva and (3) Adhiyajna. These three concepts along with the other three from the previous verse, were mentioned by the Lord and will be asked about by Arjuna in the next chapter, about their meaning. For those who are materialists who worship the demigods, Krsna is the governing priciple of all the demigods as well as all the methods of sacrifice. If one understands that Krsna is the principle behind that even at the time of death, he can Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krsna is directing the knowledge and desires of so many other classes of people ‑ to Himself. It is an important question in the battlefield: What has to be done in the time of death? What should one be conscious of at the time of death?

THUS ENDS THE STUDY OF CHAPTER SEVEN.

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Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Result: Krishna conscious devotees can know Krishna at death and go to Him.

They are in full consciousness of Me and know Me as the:
Supreme Lord
‘Adhibhuta’ – Governing principle of material manifestation
‘Adhidaiva’ – Governing principle of demigods
‘Adhiyajna’ – Governing principle of all methods of sacrifice
Focus of Learning

(a) “Aham Brahmasmi” – refers to Brahman conception of life – stage of no birth, old age, disease

and death

This Brahman conception is also present in devotional service as described in this verse
One who attains a spiritual body becomes one of the associates of the Supreme Lord

(b) Importance of “mam ashritya” – only Krishna conscious person can be really called Brahman and

can go to Supreme planet, because

They have no misgiving about Krishna, and
They are actually endeavouring to reach Krishna’s planet

(c) Pure devotional service compared to other paths

Four kinds of impure devotees – They achieve their respective goals and also gradually becomes fully Krishna conscious
Demigod worshipers – Never reach the Supreme Lord in His Supreme planet
Less intelligent Brahman realised persons cannot reach the Supreme planet of Krishna

(d) Other categories who also know Brahman, Adhibhuta etc., by the grace of the Lord

Worshipers of arca and
Those who meditate on the Lord, simply for liberation from material bondage
END OF CHAPTER 7 

(a) Explains how to become fully Krishna conscious beginning with association of Krishna conscious

persons

(b) Surety of Krishna conscious path– Person acting in Krishna consciousness are never deviated from

path of entirely understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead

They understand Krishna in transcendental association
They understand Supreme Lord as the governing principle of material manifestation and even the demigods
Gradually they become convinced of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
At time of death, he can never forget Krishna and promoted to Goloka Vrindavan

(c) Chapter 7 is the substance of the conviction that simply by hearing and glorifying Supreme Lord,

all the objectives will be fulfilled – this is called Drdha-vrta / determined faith. This is the beginning

of Bhakti-yoga

Bhagavad Gita Notes

CHAPTER 7 Appendix

Selected Texts extracted from “Surrender unto Me”

Introduction

In earlier chapters Arjuna often encouraged Kṛṣṇa to speak by asking a question. At the beginning

of Chapter Seven, however, Kṛṣṇa spontaneously explains how to attain the constant remem-

brance of Him that he described in the final verse of Chapter Six. According to that verse, remem-

berance of Kṛṣṇa characterizes one as the topmost yogī. Because this point is so important, Kṛṣṇa

speaks about it without being prompted by Arjuna.

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
7.30 Ye, those who; viduh, know; mam, Me; sa-adhi-bhuta-adhidaivam, as existing in the physical and the divine planes; ca, and also; sa-adhiyajnam, as existing in the context of the sacrifice; te, they; yukta-cetasah, of concentrated minds-those who have their minds absorbed in God; viduh, know; mam, Me; api ca, even; prayanakale, at the time of death. [For those who are devoted to God, there is not only the knowledge of Brahman as identified with all individuals and all actions (see previous verse), but also the knowledge of It as existing in all things on the physical, the divine and the sacrificial planes. Those who realize Brhaman as existing in the context of all the five, viz of the individual, of actions, of the physical,of the divine, and of the sacrifices-for them with such a realization there is no forgetting, loss of awareness, of Brahman even at the critical moment of death.]
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
7.30 Here, other alified persons distinct from those already mentioned (i.e., those who desire Kaivalya) are to be understood, because of the mention again of the term 'those' (ye). Even though the declaration - those seekers of fortune who know Me as being connected with the higher material entities' (Adhibhuta) and 'with that which is higher to divinities' (Adhidaiva) i.e., the self in Its lordship - resmles a repetition, it is really an injunction on account of the meaning not being known otherwise. The statement of knowing Me as being connected with the sacrifice is also enjoined as an injunction for all the three types of differently alified aspirants (those who aspire for Kaivalya, wealth and liberation) without any difference, because of the nature of the subject matter, that being sacrificial. None of the three types of aspirants can give up the performance of the great sacrifices and other rituals in the form of periodical and occasional rituals. They know Me at the hour of death in a way corresponding with their objectivies. Because of the term ca (too) in 'they too,' those who have been mentioned before as 'striving for release from old age and death' are also to be understood along with the others as knowing Me at the hour of death. By this, even the Jnanin knows Me as being connected with the sacrifice on account of the nature of the meaning of the subject treated (i.e., sacrifice). They also know Me even at the hour of death in a way corresponding with their objective. The purport is that, besides the others mentioned earlier like the knower of the Self, those others who are now described as knowing Him with Adhibhuta, Adhidaiva and Adhiyajna are to be included among those who will know Him at the time of death.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
7.30 Yesam etc. upto yukta-cetasah. Those, in whom the darkness (ignorance) has totally vanished, and the Self is well secured due to the decaying of the good and bad effects of actions-they break off the canopy of their [castle of the] mighty delusion and realise everything as the Brahman studded (purified) with the rays of the Bhagavat, emerging out of the darkness of old age and death; and realise 'what governs the Self, the beings, the deities and the sacrifices are all My own different aspects'. They also experience Me at the time of their journey, on account of their having internal organ permanently immersed in the thought of the Bhagavat. For, those who remember the Bhagavat even earlier, since their birth-they at the last momnet would very well remember the Absolute Lord. [Hence] it is good to simply keep silent with regard to those who opine 'What is the use of worshiping since [the time of] birth ?'
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
7.30 Those who know Me with the Adhibhuta (pertaining to the elements), Adhidaiva (pertaining to the gods) and the Adhiyajna (pertaining to the sacrifice) know Me even at the time of death, steadfast in mind.
Commentary

7.30 साधिभूताधिदैवम् with the Adhibhuta and the Adhidaiva together? माम् Me? साधियज्ञम् with the Adhiyajna? च and? ये who? विदुः know? प्रयाणकाले at the time of death? अपि even? च and? माम् Me? ते they? विदुः know? युक्तचेतसः steadfast in mind.Commentary They who are steadfast in mind? who have taken refuge in Me? who know Me as the knowledge of elements in the physical plane? as the knowledge of the gods in the celestial or mental plane? as the knowledge of the sacrifice in the realm of sacrifice? are not affected by death. They do not lose their memory. They continue to keep up the consciousness of Me even at the time of their departure from this world. Those who worship Me along with these three know Me even at the time of death. (Cf.VIII.25)(This chapter is known by the names Vijnana Yoga and Jnana Yoga also.)Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita? the Science of the Eternal? the scripture of Yoga? the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna? ends the seventh discourse entitledThe Yoga of Wisdom and Realisation. ,

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
7.30 Those who know me as existing in the physical and the divine planes, and also in the context of the sacrifice, they of concentrated minds know Me even at the time of death.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
7.30 Those who see Me in the life of the world, in the universal sacrifice, and as pure Divinity, keeping their minds steady, they live in Me, even in the crucial hour of death."
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)
Related verses
BG 8.4 BG 8.5 BG 9.24 SB 11.19.43 SB 4.31.14 SB 12.13.1 CC Madhya 25.30 CC Madhya 20.152 CC Madhya 25.86 Īśa Upaniṣad 1 Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.7
Concepts
YajnaMaya
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Those who know Me as the lord of cosmic manifestation, of the demigods, and of sacrifice — even at the time of death, with steady mind, they know Me.
Practical Applications
  • Cultivate steady mind aimed toward Kṛṣṇa now, before death tests it.
  • Use this life to prepare for that final moment.
  • Treat each evening's lying down as practice for the final lying down.
Reflection Questions
  • What would steady mind at death look like?
  • What does it require building now?
Analogy

An evening rehearsal trains an actor for the night's performance. Each evening's lying-down is rehearsal for the final lying-down. Steady consciousness in the practiced moment becomes steady consciousness in the unrehearsed moment. The verse closes the chapter by extending its teaching all the way to the deathbed.

Stories
Parīkṣit's seven days

King Parīkṣit, cursed to die in seven days, did not panic or distract himself. He sat by the Ganges and asked the assembled sages the question of the chapter's last verse: how should a man situated at the threshold of death prepare?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī arrived and spoke the Bhāgavatam to him over those seven days. Parīkṣit's mind, by the end, was yukta-cetasaḥ — engaged in Kṛṣṇa. When the snake came on the seventh day, he was already gone — already in Kṛṣṇa. The verse's promise enacted: prayāṇa-kāle 'pi ca mām te viduḥ — even at the time of death, they know Me.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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