# Bg. 8.1 > अर्जुन उवाच । > किं तद् ब्रह्म किमध्यात्मं किं कर्म पुरुषोत्तम । > अधिभूतं च किं प्रोक्तमधिदैवं किमुच्यते ॥१॥ ## Text > arjuna uvāca > kiṁ tad brahma kim adhyātmaṁ > kiṁ karma puruṣottama > adhibhūtaṁ ca kiṁ proktam > adhidaivaṁ kim ucyate ## Synonyms *arjunaḥ* *uvāca*—Arjuna said; *kim*—what; *tat*—that; *brahma*—Brahman; *kim*—what; *adhyātmam*—the self; *kim*—what; *karma*—fruitive activities; *puruṣottama*—O Supreme Person; *adhibhūtam*—the material manifestation; *ca*—and; *kim*—what; *proktam*—is called; *adhidaivam*—the demigods; *kim*—what; *ucyate*—is called. ## Translation **Arjuna inquired: O my Lord, O Supreme Person, what is Brahman? What is the self? What are fruitive activities? What is this material manifestation? And what are the demigods? Please explain this to me.** ## Purport In this chapter Lord Kṛṣṇa answers these different questions of Arjuna beginning with, "What is Brahman?" The Lord also explains *karma,* fruitive activities, devotional service and *yoga* principles, and devotional service in its pure form. The *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* explains that the Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. In addition, the living entity, individual soul, is also called Brahman. Arjuna also inquires about *ātmā,* which refers to body, soul and mind. According to the Vedic dictionary, *ātmā* refers to the mind, soul, body and senses also. Arjuna has addressed the Supreme Lord as *Puruṣottama,* Supreme Person, which means that he was putting these questions not simply to a friend but to the Supreme Person, knowing Him to be the supreme authority able to give definitive answers.