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Chapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme · 28 verses

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Liberation & destinyChapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme
8.228.24

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 8.23

Paths at death and freedom from return

यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिन: ।

प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ॥ २३ ॥

yatra kāle tv anāvṛttim

āvṛttiṁ caiva yoginaḥ

prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ

vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha

Translation

O best of the Bhāratas, I shall now explain to you the different times at which, passing away from this world, the yogī does or does not come back.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Leaving Everything in Kṛṣṇa’s Hands

  1. 1The Lord will explain the times of death when a yogī returns to this world or does not return.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that pure devotees return happily to Godhead regardless of when they die, while other yogīs depend on suitable timing.
  3. 3Follow the example of fully surrendered devotees by leaving everything in Kṛṣṇa’s hands.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 8, Attaining the Supreme: paths at death and freedom from return.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The soul's true destination is eternal.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: mokṣa, dhāma.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 8.23 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to liberation & destiny?

Practice

Reflect on what you want to remember at life's end.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 8 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 8.24Paths at death and freedom from returnBG 8.25Paths at death and freedom from return

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.