Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 7 (BG 8.7) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

No religion can serve society continuously unless it teaches its followers the method and practice for successfully living their practical daily lives. Here is presented a discipline that applies equally in both material and spiritual domains. By following this simple teaching, not only the standard of living but the entire quality of life can be elevated. There are many who doubt whether dividing the mind between dharma and practical life is harmful in achieving real success in any field. In truth, this is an unconsidered argument. Only rarely is a person's mind entirely where they are working. Generally, a large part of the mind constantly wanders in the terrible forests of fear, or in the caves of jealousy, or in the deserts of imagined possibilities of failure. Instead of wasting the mind's entire power in this way, the Lord teaches that a person desirous of and striving for the highest benefit in both material and spiritual domains should establish their mind in a calm and pure state of truth. By doing so, they can bring their entire capacity to bear upon their work, and thus attain the highest place of honor in both this world and the next. In Hindu dharma, religion and life are not separate from each other. If separated, both would be destroyed. They are joined together as the trunk and head of a human being are joined. Separated, neither can remain alive. Even in the crucible of trials that come in life, a true seeker should learn to keep their mind constantly established in the pure nature of the atman and in the unity of consciousness with Brahman, the foundation of the universe. Neither is this difficult nor impossible to practice. An actor playing the role of a king on stage never forgets that he has a wife and son in the city. If he were to forget this identity and behave like a king even outside the stage, he would immediately be admitted to an asylum for the good of society. But because he knows his true identity, he is a skilled actor. Similarly, while remaining always aware of our divine nature, we can work in the world without any obstruction. By acting with this knowledge, our accomplishments acquire a special radiance, and we become capable of calming and tempering the mind's reactions that arise in moments of despair that come in life. In the true sense, an educated and cultured person never forgets their education. It becomes part of their life. The fragrance of education continuously emanates from their conduct, thoughts, and behavior. Similarly, a person established in the consciousness of atman has compassion and love for all in their mind, and selflessness in their actions. This is the secret by which Vedic civilization attracted the entire world to itself in its time and became worthy of the respect of future generations. The Lord here clearly states that a person who, while living a life of warfare solely for the fruits prescribed by dharma, remembers Me—their mind and intellect become absorbed in Me. According to the principle that you become according to your thoughts, you will certainly attain Me. He further says—