Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8 · Akshara Brahma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 8.26 शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते
श्लोक 8.26
शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते ।
एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुनः ॥
śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate |
ekayā yātyanāvṛttimanyayāvartate punaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जगत के ये दो मार्ग, शुक्ल और कृष्ण, सनातन माने गए हैं। एक से जाने वाला लौटकर नहीं आता और दूसरे से जाने वाला फिर लौट आता है।
Meaning in English
These two paths of the world, the bright and the dark, are considered eternal. By one, a person goes and does not return; by the other, one comes back again.
Bhagavad Gita 8.26 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शुक्लकृष्णे | śukla-kṛṣṇe | the bright and the dark |
| गती | gatī | two paths |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| एते | ete | these |
| जगतः | jagataḥ | of the world |
| शाश्वते | śāśvate | eternal |
| मते | mate | are considered |
| एकया | ekayā | by one |
| याति | yāti | one goes |
| अनावृत्तिम् | anāvṛttim | to non-return |
| अन्यया | anyayā | by the other |
| आवर्तते पुनः | āvartate punaḥ | one returns again |
Explanation
These two paths, the bright and the dark, are considered eternal in this world. By the one, a person goes and does not return; by the other, a person comes back again. The difference lies in what a person has lived for.
Krishna sums up the teaching of the two paths. Shankara notes that the paths are eternal in the sense that they last as long as the world of birth and death itself. Ramanuja explains that the bright path belongs to those who know the self or worship the Lord, the dark path to those who act for heavenly reward. Tilak saw in the passage an old Vedic belief that the Gita includes but finally goes beyond, since Krishna's next verse shifts the focus from the time of death to steady yoga throughout life.
भावार्थ
जगत् के ये दो मार्ग — शुक्ल और कृष्ण — सनातन माने गए हैं। एक से जाने वाला लौटकर नहीं आता और दूसरे से जाने वाला फिर लौट आता है।
Living it today
Every day offers a small version of these two paths: acting for gain, or acting from understanding and love. Notice which one you take.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 8.26?
These two paths, the bright and the dark, are considered eternal in this world. By the one, a person goes and does not return; by the other, a person comes back again. The difference lies in what a person has lived for.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.26?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 8 (Akshara Brahma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 8.26 in daily life?
Every day offers a small version of these two paths: acting for gain, or acting from understanding and love. Notice which one you take.
Reflected on verse 8.26?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.