Chapter 8 Verse 23-26
Akṣhar Brahma Yog
यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः। प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ।।8.23।। अग्निर्ज्योतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम्। तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः।।8.24।। धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्णः षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम्। तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते।।8.25।। शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते। एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययाऽऽवर्तते पुनः।।8.26।।
yatra kāle tvanāvṛittim āvṛittiṁ chaiva yoginaḥ prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ vakṣhyāmi bharatarṣhabha agnir jyotir ahaḥ śhuklaḥ ṣhaṇ-māsā uttarāyaṇam tatra prayātā gachchhanti brahma brahma-vido janāḥ dhūmo rātris tathā kṛiṣhṇaḥ ṣhaṇ-māsā dakṣhiṇāyanam tatra chāndramasaṁ jyotir yogī prāpya nivartate śhukla-kṛiṣhṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śhāśhvate mate ekayā yātyanāvṛittim anyayāvartate punaḥ
Word Meanings
| yatra | where |
| kāle | time |
| tu | certainly |
| anāvṛittim | no return |
| āvṛittim | return |
| cha | and |
| eva | certainly |
| yoginaḥ | a yogi |
| prayātāḥ | having departed |
| yānti | attain |
| tam | that |
| kālam | time |
| vakṣhyāmi | I shall describe |
| bharata-ṛiṣhabha | Arjun, the best of the Bharatas |
| agniḥ | fire |
| jyotiḥ | light |
| ahaḥ | day |
| śhuklaḥ | the bright fortnight of the moon |
| ṣhaṭ-māsāḥ | six months |
| uttara-ayanam | the sun’s northern course |
| tatra | there |
| prayātāḥ | departed |
| gachchhanti | go |
| brahma | Brahman |
| brahma-vidaḥ | those who know the Brahman |
| janāḥ | persons |
| dhūmaḥ | smoke |
| rātriḥ | night |
| tathā | and |
| kṛiṣhṇaḥ | the dark fortnight of the moon |
| ṣhaṭ-māsāḥ | six months |
| dakṣhiṇa-ayanam | the sun’s southern course |
| tatra | there |
| chāndra-masam | lunar |
| jyotiḥ | light |
| yogī | a yogi |
| prāpya | attain |
| nivartate | comes back |
| śhukla | bright |
| kṛiṣhṇe | dark |
| gatī | paths |
| hi | certainly |
| ete | these |
| jagataḥ | of the material world |
| śhāśhvate | eternal |
| mate | opinion |
| ekayā | by one |
| yāti | goes |
| anāvṛittim | to non return |
| anyayā | by the other |
| āvartate | comes back |
| punaḥ | again |
Translation
Now I will tell you, O chief of the Bharatas, the times of departure at which the Yogis will return or not return. Fire, light, daytime, the bright fortnight, the six months of the northern path of the sun (the northern solstice) departing, then men who know Brahman go to Brahman. Attaining the lunar light through smoke, night time, the dark fortnight, and the six months of the southern path of the sun (the southern solstice), the yogi returns. The bright and dark paths of the world are thought to be eternal; one leads to no return, and the other leads to return.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Krishna points out two kinds of departures: one that leads to union with the highest (no return) and one that leads back into the cycle of life. He uses images of light, fire and the bright half of the year for the first; smoke, night and the dark half for the second.
Philosophically, these “times” are really states of mind. Leaving the body in a clear, awake, loving awareness (the “light”) carries the soul toward freedom. Leaving in confusion, desire or dullness (the “dark”) pulls it back into rebirth.
So liberation depends less on clock time and more on the inner condition at death. The yogic goal is to live and die in steady presence and clarity.
Life Application
- Practice daily moments of simple awareness (breath, short prayer, or silence) so your mind becomes calm and familiar with the “light.”
- Use the evening or bedtime as a rehearsal: relax, let go of attachments for a few minutes, and hold a peaceful, loving intention.
- Live honestly and with small acts of selfless care—these steady habits make it easier to die with a clear heart and mind.
Reflection Question
What small daily habit will help me meet the end with calmness and clear awareness?