In Bhagavad Gita 8.27, Krishna says that the yogi who knows these two paths is never deluded; therefore Arjuna should be steadfast in yoga at all times.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
नैते सृती पार्थ जानन्
योगी मुह्यति कश्चन
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु
योगयुक्तो भवार्जुन ॥ ८-२७ ॥
naite sṛtī pārtha jānan
yogī muhyati kaścana
tasmātsarveṣu kāleṣu
yogayukto bhavārjuna
English transliteration naite sritee paartha jaanan
yogee muhyati kashchana
tasmaatsarveshu kaaleshu
yogayukto bhavaarjuna ॥ 8.27 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Knowing these two paths, O Partha, no yogi is ever deluded. Therefore, at all times, be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| एते ete | these |
| सृती sṛtī | two paths |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| जानन् jānan | knowing |
| योगी yogī | yogi |
| मुह्यति muhyati | is deluded |
| कश्चन kaścana | any |
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| सर्वेषु sarveṣu | at all |
| कालेषु kāleṣu | times |
| योगयुक्तः yogayuktaḥ | steadfast in yoga yoga (yoga) + yuktaḥ (steadfast) |
| भव bhava | be |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
Word-wise Chanting
- nai–te sṛ–tī pār–tha jā–nan– 8 syllables nai-te sri-tee paar-tha jaa-nan-
- yo–gī muh–ya–ti kaś–ca–na | 8 syllables yo-gee muh-ya-ti kash-cha-na
- tas–māt–sar–ve–ṣu kā–le–ṣu 8 syllables tas-maat-sar-ve-shu kaa-le-shu
- yo–ga–yuk–to bha–vār–ju–na || 8-27 8 syllables yo-ga-yuk-to bha-vaar-ju-na
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 27
Context
Krishna draws the practical conclusion of the teaching on the two paths.
Meaning
The point of the teaching is not to calculate the time of death, but to free the yogī from confusion. One who understands the paths is not deluded by temporary rewards and naturally chooses the path of light. So Krishna gives the simple instruction: be yoga-yukta, united with the Divine, at all times.
Rather than worrying about the circumstances of death, the yogī focuses on steady union with the Divine in life. Then the right path follows naturally.
In Practice
Let go of anxiety about the future today. Focus on being steady and connected in the present moment.
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.