Verse-26
Chapter 8 — Akshar Brahmn Yoga
Verse 26
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate
ekayā yātyanāvṛttimany-ayāvartate punaḥ
🕉 English Translation
Gatiya shukla krishna hai yeh do,
Chalti sadaa se hee aayee hai jo.
Shukla mein jo jaye woh laute nahin,
Gati Krishna mein jake aate yahin.
📜 Translation
English
The two paths of this world-the path of light and the path of darkness have been called eternal. Out of these one who goes by one of the paths does not have to return and he attains that ultimate goal and the one who goes by the other path returns, meaning he becomes subject to birth and death.
Rule is a rule. There is no difference in it for time, place and the person concerned. The rules by which the Supreme is governing this creation were then also the same as of now. There is no change in them. With the path of light and darkness the words eternal and everlasting have been used meaning thereby that both these states are ever continuing.
Shukla means the fortnight of moonlight, i. e. of light and the Krishna means the dark fortnight. Here the philosophical aspect of the Gita is clearly demonstrated. The embodied being who departs in the bright fortnight i. e. in the light of the knowledge attains the Supreme status and those depart in the darkness of ignorance again returns here. If the room lying closed gets suddenly lighted, then all types of insects and cockroaches run for cover. If there is light of knowledge inside, then the latent tendencies and deformities cannot remain. If the mind is purified then how will the question of return arise? In the darkness of ignorance, the opportunity for inclinations and deformities to tend towards external indulgences and attractions persist. This is the very reason for return.
The ultimate destinations are two only. One has to accept one out of them. Think where the welfare lies. This very inspiration is found in the following verse.