Bhagvad Gita: 20 Life-Changing – What You Think, You Become – 10/20
🌟 Shloka 10 of 20 – What You Think, You Become
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Shloka 6 – Deep Dive
“Whatever one remembers at the time of death…”
📜 Sanskrit Verse
यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं
त्यजत्यन्ते कलेवरम्।
तं तमेवैति कौन्तेय
सदा तद्भावभावितः॥
🔤 Transliteration
yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ
tyajaty ante kalevaram
taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya
sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ
🌍 English Translation
Whatever state of being one remembers at the time of death,
that state one surely attains, O Kaunteya (Arjuna),
being always absorbed in that state of consciousness.
🧭 Context in the Gita
This verse appears in Chapter 8 – Akṣara Brahma Yoga, where Krishna discusses the importance of consciousness at the time of death. But more importantly, He highlights a universal truth:
What you think repeatedly, you become.
This is not just about the final moment — but about the sum of your life’s mental focus.
🔍 Line-by-Line Explanation
🔹 यं यं भावं स्मरन् त्यजति अन्ते
“Whatever state of mind one remembers at death…”
Your final thoughts reflect your lifelong mental patterns — they don’t magically change at the last second. What you live is what you leave with.
🔹 तं तम् एव एति कौन्तेय
“That alone is what he attains, O Arjuna…”
The afterlife, rebirth, or liberation depends on your inner orientation at the end — and that is built over years of daily thinking.
🔹 सदा तद्भावभावितः
“Because he was always absorbed in that state…”
It’s not just about death — it’s about constant absorption. Repeated thoughts shape your mind, and your mind shapes your destiny.
🧠 Modern Life Applications
🧠 Law of Attention
- What you focus on becomes your world.
- Think about fear all the time? You’ll live in anxiety.
- Think about divinity, peace, or service? You’ll become that.
🧘 Mind as Habit
- Don’t wait for old age to think of God. Start now.
- Your last thought is likely your most practiced thought.
📺 Digital Detox
- If you constantly consume drama, gossip, or fear —
that becomes your default mindset.
Guard what you feed your mind — it’s shaping your soul.
✨ Real-Life Analogy
Your mind is like wet cement — thoughts are footprints.
What you repeat gets etched deeply.
When the cement hardens (at death), those imprints decide what form you take next.
So choose your thoughts — they’re making your future reality.
📿 Daily Practice Tip (Layman-Friendly)
✅ Choose one word or mantra today — like “Peace”, “Krishna”, or “Light”.
Repeat it a few times when you’re free — walking, waiting, or before sleeping.
Make it your mental companion. Over time, this will become your default memory pattern.
🪔 Takeaway Affirmation
🎵 What I repeat becomes my way,
My thoughts shall shape my night and day.
So may my mind in truth abide —
With joy and love, I live, I die. 🎵