शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते ।
एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययाऽऽवर्तते पुनः ॥
एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययाऽऽवर्तते पुनः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
क्योंकि शुक्ल और कृष्ण ये दोनों गतियाँ अनादिकालसे जगत्प्राणिमात्र के साथ सम्बन्ध रखनेवाली मानी गई हैं । इनमेंसे एक गतिमें जानेवालेको लौटना नहीं पड़ता और दूसरी गतिमें जानेवालेको लौटना पड़ता है ॥
English
The bright and the dark are the two eternal paths of the world. One leads to non-return; the other brings return again.
What this verse means
Two eternal paths exist. One leads beyond repeated return, and the other brings a person back again.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Krishna has begun explaining the last journey of life to Arjuna. After naming the bright and dark routes, he now states the larger rule: one path ends rebirth, the other returns the traveler again.
Why this verse still matters
You are standing at a crossroads after a breakup, a resignation letter in hand. One choice ends the old cycle; the other sends you back into it with a new name.
The takeaway
There is relief in knowing not every road leads to the same loop.
Word-by-word translation
शुक्लकृष्णे (the bright and the dark) / गती (paths) / हि (indeed) / एते (these) / जगतः (of the world) / शाश्वते (eternal) / मते (are held to be) । / एकया (by one) / याति (goes) / अनावृत्तिम् (to non-return) / अन्यया (by the other) / आवर्तते (returns) / पुनः (again)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Imperishable Absolute, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses)