In Bhagavad Gita 8.26, Krishna says these bright and dark paths of the world are considered eternal; by one, a person goes not to return, and by the other returns again.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते
जगतः शाश्वते मते
एकया यात्यनावृत्तिम्
अन्ययावर्तते पुनः ॥ ८-२६ ॥
śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hyete
jagataḥ śāśvate mate
ekayā yātyanāvṛttim
anyayāvartate punaḥ
English transliteration shuklakrishne gatee hyete
jagatah shaashvate mate
ekayaa yaatyanaavrittim
anyayaavartate punah ॥ 8.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
These two paths of the world, the bright and the dark, are considered eternal. By the one, a person goes not to return; by the other, one returns again.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| शुक्लकृष्णे śuklakṛṣṇe | bright and dark śukla (bright) + kṛṣṇe (dark) |
| गती gatī | two paths |
| हि hi | indeed |
| एते ete | these |
| जगतः jagataḥ | of the world |
| शाश्वते śāśvate | eternal |
| मते mate | considered |
| एकया ekayā | by one |
| याति yāti | goes |
| अनावृत्तिम् anāvṛttim | to non-return |
| अन्यया anyayā | by the other |
| आवर्तते āvartate | returns |
| पुनः punaḥ | again |
Word-wise Chanting
- śuk–la–kṛṣ–ṇe ga–tī hye–te 8 syllables shuk-la-krish-ne ga-tee hye-te
- ja–ga–taḥ śāś–va–te ma–te | 8 syllables ja-ga-tah shaash-va-te ma-te
- e–ka–yā yāt–ya–nā–vṛt–tim– 8 syllables e-ka-yaa yaat-ya-naa-vrit-tim-
- an–ya–yā–var–ta–te pu–naḥ || 8-26 8 syllables an-ya-yaa-var-ta-te pu-nah
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 26
Context
Krishna summarises the two paths (8.24–8.26).
Meaning
The śukla and kṛṣṇa paths, bright and dark, are a permanent feature of the world order. One leads to freedom without return; the other leads back into embodied life. Every being travels one or the other according to its knowledge and desires.
The two paths can also be seen in our daily choices. Actions done in the light of wisdom move us toward freedom; actions driven by desire keep us circling. We choose our path continually.
In Practice
At the end of the day, review your actions: which were done in light, which in desire?
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.