8. Path of the Eternal God

Akṣhar Brahma Yog

BG 8.28

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

वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव
दानेषु यत्पुण्यफलं प्रदिष्टम्
अत्येति तत्सर्वमिदं विदित्वा
योगी परं स्थानमुपैति चाद्यम्



  • vedeṣhu — in the study of the Vedas

  • yajñeṣhu — in performance of sacrifices

  • tapaḥsu — in austerities

  • chaiva — and certainly

    • cha — and

    • eva — certainly

  • dāneṣhu — in giving charities

  • yat — which

  • puṇya-phalaṁ — fruit of merit

    • puṇya

    • phalaṁ

  • pradiṣhṭam — is gained

  • atyeti — surpasses

  • tat — which

  • sarvam — all

  • idaṁ — this

  • viditvā — having known

  • yogī — a yogi

  • paraṁ — Supreme

  • sthānam — Abode

  • upaiti — achieves

  • chādyam — and original

    • cha — and

    • ādyam — original

...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 28