The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

╭ chapter eight
But it is Arjuna’s other question that determines the direction
the discourse now takes. Arjuna asks how Krishna can
be known at the hour of death. Here, of course, Arjuna means
Krishna in his cosmic, mystical aspect, so he is asking in
essence, “How can the Self-realized person enter the supreme
state of immortality at the time of death?” Krishna replies
that whoever remembers him at the time of death will enter
madbhavam, “my being.” If Arjuna can remember Krishna in
the hour of death, he will be united with Krishna and enter
into immortality.
In fact, whatever it may be, the content of the mind at the
hour of death directs the soul in its journey to rebirth. Thus
the mind influences the evolution of the soul as it moves into
the next life. Whatever a person thinks about in life – his or
her deepest motivations – are likely to be the last thoughts at
the time of death. So there is a continuity between this life and
the next, and all the baggage of desire and motivation goes
right along with the soul. But here Krishna is talking about
the person – he hopes Arjuna will be such a one – who has
no worldly baggage, who will remember Krishna at the final
hour.
To ensure he will focus his devotion on Krishna at the hour
of death, Arjuna should make a practice of remembering him
continually now. If he makes his mind one-pointed in meditation
and learns to focus his being on Krishna, then naturally
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