Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.25 धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्णः षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम्
श्लोक 8.25
धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्णः षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् ।
तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते ॥
dhūmo rātristathā kṛṣṇaḥ ṣaṇmāsā dakṣiṇāyanam |
tatra cāndramasaṃ jyotiryogī prāpya nivartate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
धुआँ, रात, कृष्ण पक्ष और दक्षिणायन के छह महीने - इस मार्ग से जाने वाला योगी चंद्रमा के प्रकाश (लोक) को प्राप्त होकर लौट आता है।
Meaning in English
Smoke, night, the dark fortnight, and the six months of the sun's southern course - the yogi departing by this path reaches the lunar light and returns.
Bhagavad Gita 8.25 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| धूमः | dhūmaḥ | smoke |
| रात्रिः | rātriḥ | night |
| तथा | tathā | likewise |
| कृष्णः | kṛṣṇaḥ | the dark fortnight |
| षण्मासाः | ṣaṇ-māsāḥ | the six months |
| दक्षिणायनम् | dakṣiṇāyanam | of the sun's southern course |
| तत्र | tatra | there, on that path |
| चान्द्रमसम् | cāndramasam | lunar |
| ज्योतिः | jyotiḥ | light |
| योगी | yogī | the yogi |
| प्राप्य | prāpya | having attained |
| निवर्तते | nivartate | returns |
Explanation
Smoke, night, the dark half of the lunar month, the six months of the sun's southern course: the yogi who departs by this path reaches the light of the moon and then returns. This is the dark path, which leads to heavenly reward and then back to birth.
This is the dark path, the pitriyana or path of the ancestors. According to the Upanishads, those who performed good works and rituals with desire for their fruits rise to the lunar world, enjoy the results of their merit, and then return to birth. Shankara identifies the travellers on this path as performers of Vedic rites rather than knowers of Brahman. Ramanuja reads it similarly. The contrast with 8.24 is between action done for reward, which leads back to the cycle, and knowledge or devotion, which leads beyond it.
भावार्थ
धुआँ, रात्रि, कृष्ण पक्ष और दक्षिणायन के छह महीने — इस मार्ग से गया हुआ योगी चन्द्रमा की ज्योति को प्राप्त होकर लौट आता है। इसे कृष्ण मार्ग या पितृयान कहते हैं।
Living it today
Good deeds done for reward bring good returns, but they keep you on the wheel. Try doing one good act this week with no expectation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.25?
Smoke, night, the dark half of the lunar month, the six months of the sun's southern course: the yogi who departs by this path reaches the light of the moon and then returns. This is the dark path, which leads to heavenly reward and then back to birth.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.25?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.25 in daily life?
Good deeds done for reward bring good returns, but they keep you on the wheel. Try doing one good act this week with no expectation.
Reflected on verse 8.25?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.