I will tell you of the time when yogis do not return, and the time when they do, O best of the Bharatas.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 8.23
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे भरतवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन जिस काल अर्थात् मार्गमें शरीर छोड़कर गये हुए योगी अनावृत्तिको प्राप्त होते हैं अर्थात् पीछे लौटकर नहीं आते और जिस मार्गमें गये हुए आवृत्तिको प्राप्त होते हैं अर्थात् पीछे लौटकर आते हैं, उस कालको अर्थात् दोनों मार्गोंको मैं कहूँगा ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
यत्रin whichकालेtimeतुindeedअनावृत्तिम्non-returnआवृत्तिम्returnचandएवindeedयोगिनःyogisप्रयाताःhaving departedयान्तिgoतम्thatकालम्timeवक्ष्यामिI will speakभरतर्षभO best of the Bharatas
Read literallyin which · time · indeed · non-return · return · and · indeed · yogis · having departed · go · that · time · I will speak · O best of the Bharatas
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from the act of leaving to the quality of the path being taken.
Krishna says he will explain which departing moments lead to no return and which lead back into return.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Arjuna still stands frozen while Krishna continues the teaching on death and release. After speaking of the imperishable and the supreme being, Krishna now turns to the path of departure itself, promising to explain which way leads beyond return.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You leave a relationship, a job, or a habit and feel the difference immediately: one choice frees you, another pulls you back into the same cycle. This verse points to that hidden direction.
The takeaway
“Some departures open outward; others loop back. Timing matters because direction matters.”
Krishna says he will explain which departing moments lead to no return and which lead back into return.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 8.23?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Akshara Brahma Yoga" (The Imperishable Absolute).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 8.23?
Verse 23 sits in Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita — Akshara Brahma Yoga, "The Imperishable Absolute". The chapter has 28 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 8.23 matter today?
You leave a relationship, a job, or a habit and feel the difference immediately: one choice frees you, another pulls you back into the same cycle. This verse points to that hidden direction.
It shifts attention from the act of leaving to the quality of the path being taken.
What this verse means
Krishna says he will explain which departing moments lead to no return and which lead back into return.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Arjuna still stands frozen while Krishna continues the teaching on death and release. After speaking of the imperishable and the supreme being, Krishna now turns to the path of departure itself, promising to explain which way leads beyond return.
Why this verse still matters
You leave a relationship, a job, or a habit and feel the difference immediately: one choice frees you, another pulls you back into the same cycle. This verse points to that hidden direction.
“Some departures open outward; others loop back. Timing matters because direction matters.”
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), akshara brahma (12 verses)