Chapter 8, Verse 23
यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिन: | प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ॥23॥
yatra kāle tv-anāvṛttim āvṛttiṃ caiva yoginaḥ | prayātā yānti taṃ kālaṃ vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha
"O best of the Bharata dynasty, I shall now speak of that time by departing at which the yogis attain the State of Non-return, and also of the time by departing at which they attain the State of Return."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 8.23 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 8.23 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna introduces the profound concept of the two paths of departure from the physical world. 'Anāvṛttim' refers to the path of liberation (Moksha) from which one does not return to the cycle of birth and death. 'Āvṛttim' refers to the path of rebirth, where one returns to the material world after exhausting their karmic merits. While the verse uses the word 'kāla' (time), commentators explain that this refers to the governing deities or the internal state of consciousness (Light vs. Darkness) at the moment of death. This teaching emphasizes that our lifelong internal orientation determines our ultimate destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 8.23?
O best of the Bharata dynasty, I shall now speak of that time by departing at which the yogis attain the State of Non-return, and also of the time by departing at which they attain the State of Return.