Knowing Me at the very end

sādhibhūtādhidaivaṃ māṃ sādhiyajñaṃ ca ye viduḥprayāṇakāle’api ca māṃ te viduryuktacetasaḥ

Those who know Me as ground of the elements, the gods and all offering, know Me even at death.

What it means

Krishna closes the chapter. Some know him as the root of everything. The material world, the divine powers, every yajna, every offering. They keep that knowing even at the moment of death. A steady mind in life becomes a peaceful mind at the end.

The story

This verse sets up chapter eight, which speaks of death and what we carry into it. Arjuna, surrounded by death, is being taught how to face it, his own and others', without fear.

In your life

Imagine someone at the end of life, surrounded by family, calm, saying thank you. Their peace was practised for years. Practise a small moment of peace and gratitude each night before sleep.