8. Path of the Eternal God

Akṣhar Brahma Yog

BG 8.26

These bright and dark paths out of the world are eternal. Through one, a person achieves the state of non-return; through the other, they return again.

शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते
एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययाऽऽवर्तते पुनः

  • śhukla-kṛiṣhṇe — bright and dark

    • śhukla — bright

    • kṛiṣhṇe — dark

  • gatī — paths

  • hyete — certainly these

    • hi — certainly

    • ete — these

  • jagataḥ — of the material world

  • śhāśhvate — eternal

  • mate — opinion

  • ekayā — by one

  • yātyanāvṛittim — goes to not return

    • yāti — goes

    • anāvṛittim — to non return

  • anyayāvartate — comes back by the other

    • anyayā — by the other

    • āvartate — comes back

  • punaḥ — again

...8.22

Now, I will tell you the times at which the great souls depart to the state of no return, and at which they go forth only to return.

[23]

One who knows of the supreme spirit attains it by passing from this world under the sun at an auspicious time of day, during the fornight of the waxing moon, or during the six months of the Northern summer solstice.

[24]

The sage who passes away on a gloomy night, or during the fortnight of the waning moon, or in the six months prior to the winter solstice, reaches only the lunar light and will be reborn.

[25]

These bright and dark paths out of the world are eternal. Through one, a person achieves the state of non-return; through the other, they return again.

[26]

The saint, steadfast in meditation and aware of these two paths, does not become deluded.

[27]

The sage who understands this transcends all merit from scriptures, sacrifice, austerity, or charity, and reaches the primordial supreme state.

[28]

Similar verses

Chapter 8, Verse 26