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Chapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme · 28 verses

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Liberation & destinyChapter 8 · Attaining the Supreme
8.258.27

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 8.26

Paths at death and freedom from return

श‍ुक्ल‍कृष्णे गती ह्येते जगत: शाश्वते मते ।

एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुन: ॥ २६ ॥

śukla-kṛṣṇe gatī hy ete

jagataḥ śāśvate mate

ekayā yāty anāvṛttim

anyayāvartate punaḥ

Translation

According to Vedic opinion, there are two ways of passing from this world – one in light and one in darkness. When one passes in light, he does not come back; but when one passes in darkness, he returns.

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.

Two Ways of Departure

  1. 1The Vedas describe two ways of leaving this world: in light, one does not return; in darkness, one returns.
  2. 2Those who work for rewards or speculate philosophically keep coming and going because they do not surrender to Kṛṣṇa.
  3. 3Seek ultimate liberation through surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

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.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 8.26 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.

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The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 8 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 8.23Paths at death and freedom from returnBG 8.24Paths 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.