In Bhagavad Gita 8.23, Krishna promises to explain the times at which yogis depart, either to return or not to return.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिम्
आवृत्तिं चैव योगिनः
प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं
वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ॥ ८-२३ ॥
yatra kāle tvanāvṛttim
āvṛttiṃ caiva yoginaḥ
prayātā yānti taṃ kālaṃ
vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha
English transliteration yatra kaale tvanaavrittim
aavrittim chaiva yoginah
prayaataa yaanti tam kaalam
vakshyaami bharatarshabha ॥ 8.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Now I shall tell you, O best of the Bharatas, the times at which yogis departing go, either never to return or to return.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यत्र yatra | in which |
| काले kāle | time |
| तु tu | now |
| अनावृत्तिम् anāvṛttim | non-return |
| आवृत्तिम् āvṛttim | return |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | also |
| योगिनः yoginaḥ | yogis |
| प्रयाताः prayātāḥ | departing |
| यान्ति yānti | go |
| तम् tam | that |
| कालम् kālam | time |
| वक्ष्यामि vakṣyāmi | I shall tell |
| भरतर्षभ bharatarṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |
Word-wise Chanting
- yat–ra kā–le tva–nā–vṛt–tim– 8 syllables yat-ra kaa-le tva-naa-vrit-tim-
- ā–vṛt–tiṃ cai–va yo–gi–naḥ | 8 syllables aa-vrit-tim chai-va yo-gi-nah
- pra–yā–tā yān–ti taṃ kā–laṃ 8 syllables pra-yaa-taa yaan-ti tam kaa-lam
- vakṣ–yā–mi bha–ra–tar–ṣa–bha || 8-23 8 syllables vaksh-yaa-mi bha-ra-tar-sha-bha
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 8 Verse 23
Context
Krishna introduces the two paths of departure (8.23–8.27).
Meaning
Krishna now describes the traditional teaching of two paths: one by which departing yogis do not return, and one by which they return to rebirth. The word kāla, time, here refers to the presiding powers associated with each path.
The teaching draws on ancient Upaniṣadic ideas of the bright and dark paths. Its deeper purpose, as 8.27 shows, is to free the yogī from anxiety about death.
In Practice
Reflect on whether you fear death. Hold the question gently as you read the coming verses.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga (The Imperishable Absolute). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.