Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.24 अग्निर्ज्योतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम्
श्लोक 8.24
अग्निर्ज्योतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् ।
तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जनाः ॥
agnirjyotirahaḥ śuklaḥ ṣaṇmāsā uttarāyaṇam |
tatra prayātā gacchanti brahma brahmavido janāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अग्नि, प्रकाश, दिन, शुक्ल पक्ष और उत्तरायण के छह महीने - इस मार्ग से जाने वाले ब्रह्मज्ञानी लोग ब्रह्म को प्राप्त होते हैं।
Meaning in English
Fire, light, daytime, the bright fortnight of the moon, and the six months of the sun's northern course - departing by this path, knowers of Brahman go to Brahman.
Bhagavad Gita 8.24 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अग्निः | agniḥ | fire |
| ज्योतिः | jyotiḥ | light |
| अहः | ahaḥ | day |
| शुक्लः | śuklaḥ | the bright fortnight |
| षण्मासाः | ṣaṇ-māsāḥ | the six months |
| उत्तरायणम् | uttarāyaṇam | of the sun's northern course |
| तत्र | tatra | there, on that path |
| प्रयाताः | prayātāḥ | departing |
| गच्छन्ति | gacchanti | go |
| ब्रह्म | brahma | to Brahman |
| ब्रह्मविदः | brahma-vidaḥ | knowers of Brahman |
| जनाः | janāḥ | people |
Explanation
Fire, light, day, the bright half of the lunar month, the six months of the sun's northern course: those knowers of Brahman who depart by this path go to Brahman. This is called the bright path, which leads beyond rebirth.
This is the bright path, the devayana of the Upanishads. Shankara and Ramanuja both explain each term as a deity or stage presiding over the soul's ascent, not as the literal moment of death. The verse is linked in popular memory with Bhishma, who in the Mahabharata waited on his bed of arrows for Uttarayana before leaving his body, and with the festival of Makar Sankranti, which marks the sun's northward turn. The Brahma Sutras (4.2.19–20) clarify that knowers of Brahman reach the goal even if they die at night or during the southern course.
भावार्थ
अग्नि, ज्योति, दिन, शुक्ल पक्ष और उत्तरायण के छह महीने — इस मार्ग से शरीर छोड़कर गए हुए ब्रह्मज्ञानी लोग ब्रह्म को प्राप्त होते हैं। इसे शुक्ल मार्ग या देवयान कहते हैं।
Living it today
Let light, warmth and clarity mark the way you live. A life moving towards the light is the real bright path.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.24?
Fire, light, day, the bright half of the lunar month, the six months of the sun's northern course: those knowers of Brahman who depart by this path go to Brahman. This is called the bright path, which leads beyond rebirth.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.24?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.24 in daily life?
Let light, warmth and clarity mark the way you live. A life moving towards the light is the real bright path.
Reflected on verse 8.24?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.