Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 – Tat Brahm and the Supreme God (Purn Brahm) Explained

Introduction Summary

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 reveals the identity of Tat Brahm, the Supreme God (Purn Brahm), and explains the difference between perishable and imperishable beings. It describes how to attain liberation, the eternal abode (Satlok), and the correct method of worship through a Tatvadarshi Saint. This chapter clarifies why worship of mortal deities like Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, or Kaal Brahm cannot grant eternal salvation.

Who Is Tat Brahm? Understanding the Complete Supreme God

In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 1, Arjun asks the Gita knowledge-giver:

“The Tat Brahm that You mentioned in Chapter 7 Verse 29—who is that Tat Brahm?”

The answer is given in Chapter 8 Verse 3, where it is stated that Tat Brahm is Param Akshar Brahm, meaning Purn Brahm (the Complete Supreme God).

Special Note: Three Supreme Entities in Spiritual Knowledge

Three distinct Purush (Supreme Beings) are described in spiritual philosophy:

Kshar Purush – Brahm (Kaal, Ish) – perishable
Akshar Purush – ParBrahm – imperishable but still destructible
Param Akshar Purush – Purn Brahm (Satpurush) – completely imperishable

Scriptural Proof

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 Verses 16–17 clearly state that beyond Kshar Purush and Akshar Purush exists another Supreme Being, who is eternally imperishable and sustains all creation. This Param Akshar Brahm is Satpurush, the Complete God.

Adhibhoot, Adhidaiv, and Adhiyagya (Chapter 8 Verse 4)

Adhibhoot: Lord of perishable embodied beings
Adhidaiv: Supreme divine controller
Adhiyagya: The One established in all sacrificial acts

The verse clarifies that Purn Brahm alone is Adhidaiv and Adhiyagya. He resides in all beings, as stated in Gita 15:15:

“I dwell in the hearts of all living beings.”

Meaning Clarified: Kaal Brahm vs Purn Brahm

Kaal Brahm resides only within his 21 universes
Purn Brahm resides:
- Within Kaal Brahm’s universes
- Within His own infinite universes
- Within the hearts of all beings

This proves that Purn Brahm alone is truly omnipresent (Vasudev).

Supporting Verses:

Gita 13:17 – He is the Light beyond all lights, beyond Maya
Gita 18:61 – The Supreme God dwells in all beings and operates them like machines through Maya

Yet, to confuse devotees, Gita 9:4–5 and 7:12 record Brahm (Kaal) saying he does not dwell in beings—highlighting the difference between Brahm and the Supreme God.

Key Principle of Attainment (Verses 5–10)

Rule of Attainment:

“Whatever one remembers at the time of death, one attains that very state.”

A worshipper of Kaal Brahm attains Kaal Brahm
A worshipper of Purn Brahm attains Purn Brahm

Verses 5 & 7: Kaal Brahm instructs:

“Remember Me at the final moment, fight, and you will attain Me.”

This confirms continued birth and death.

Worship of Purn Brahm (Verses 8–10)

Arjun is instructed to worship another Supreme Divine Being, described as:

Eternal
Controller of all
Subtler than the subtlest
Self-illuminating like the Sun
Beyond ignorance
Known as Kavim / Kavir Dev

A devotee who:

Fixes the life force between the eyebrows
Remembers Him with unwavering devotion
Uses the true mantra given by a Tatvadarshi Saint

…attains Purn Brahm (Satpurush) and becomes fully liberated.

Method of Worship (Verses 11–14)

The Gita explains the true method of devotion:

Control of senses (not physical Hatha Yoga)
Focus of mind and breath
Constant remembrance through Ajapa Jaap
Use of Satnam (true mantra)

Important Clarification:

The mantra system includes:

Om – mantra of Brahm
Tat–Sat – mantra of Purn Brahm (revealed only by a true Saint)

Outcome of Worship

Worship of Brahm (Kaal):

Temporary heaven
Return to birth and death (Gita 8:15–16)

Worship of Purn Brahm:

No rebirth
Eternal abode Satlok
Complete liberation

Destruction of Worlds (Pralay and Mahapralay)

The text explains:

Partial destruction
Cyclical dissolution
Great cosmic dissolutions

Even Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Kaal Brahm are not immortal. Only Purn Brahm (Satpurush) is eternal.

Three Levels of the Unmanifest

First Avyakt: Brahm (Kaal)
Second Avyakt: ParBrahm (Akshar Purush)
Third Avyakt: Purn Brahm (Satpurush)

Proof:

Gita 8:20
Gita 15:16–17

Satlok – The Supreme Abode

Gita 8:21 clarifies:

Satlok is the eternal supreme abode
Even Kaal Brahm originated from there
Only devotees of Purn Brahm reach it permanently

Exclusive Devotion (Verse 22)

Purn Brahm is attainable only through exclusive devotion:

No worship of other gods
No dependence on rituals
Complete surrender to one Supreme God

Final Teaching (Verses 27–28)

Those who receive:

True knowledge
Three mantras
Guidance of a Tatvadarshi Saint

…surpass Vedic rewards like heaven and attain complete salvation.

Gita 18:66 commands:

“Abandon all forms of worship and surrender to the One Supreme God.”

Conclusion

Brahm (Kaal) is mortal
ParBrahm is also mortal
Only Purn Brahm (Kabir Sahib / Kavir Dev) is immortal
Only His worship leads to Satlok, freedom from birth and death

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 – FAQ Section

Q1: Who is Tat Brahm in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8?
A: Tat Brahm is Param Akshar Brahm, the Complete Supreme God (Purn Brahm), who is eternal and beyond all mortal beings.

Q2: What are the three Supreme entities mentioned in spiritual philosophy?
A: Kshar Purush (Brahm/Kaal – perishable), Akshar Purush (ParBrahm – imperishable but destructible), and Param Akshar Purush (Purn Brahm – completely imperishable).

Q3: What is the difference between Brahm (Kaal) and Purn Brahm?
A: Brahm (Kaal) is limited to his 21 universes and perishable, while Purn Brahm resides in all universes and hearts of beings and is truly eternal.

Q4: How does one attain Purn Brahm according to Gita Chapter 8?
A: By exclusive devotion, meditation, focusing the life force, chanting the true mantra from a Tatvadarshi Saint, and surrendering completely.

Q5: What happens when one worships Brahm (Kaal)?
A: The devotee attains temporary heaven but returns to the cycle of birth and death.

Q6: What is Satlok?
A: Satlok is the eternal supreme abode where only devotees of Purn Brahm reach permanently, free from birth and death.

Q7: What is the role of mantras in worshiping Purn Brahm?
A: Om is the mantra of Brahm, and Tat–Sat is the mantra of Purn Brahm, revealed only by a true Tatvadarshi Saint.

Q8: Why is exclusive devotion necessary?
A: Worship of other deities or reliance on rituals does not grant eternal liberation; only exclusive devotion to Purn Brahm ensures salvation.

Q9: Who is Kavir Dev / Kabir Sahib?
A: Purn Brahm, the Supreme God, also known as Kavir Dev or Kabir Sahib, is immortal and grants liberation to sincere devotees.