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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Verse 23 (8.23)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8 Verse 23 (8.23)

यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः । प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ | | ८-२३ | |

yatra kāle tvanāvṛittimāvṛittiṁ chaiva yoginaḥ prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ vakṣhyāmi bharatarṣhabha

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • यत्र (yatra) — जिस(at which)
  • काले (kale) — समय/मार्ग में(time/path)
  • तु (tu) — अब/परंतु(but)
  • अनावृत्तिम् (anavrittim) — न लौटना(non-return)
  • आवृत्तिम् (avrittim) — लौटना(return)
  • (cha) — और(and)
  • iva joined in chaiva
  • योगिनः (yoginah) — योगी(yogis)
Line 2:
  • प्रयाताः (prayatah) — प्रस्थान किए हुए(departing)
  • यान्ति (yanti) — जाते हैं(go)
  • तम् (tam) — उस(that)
  • कालम् (kalam) — काल/मार्ग को(time/path)
  • वक्ष्यामि (vakshyami) — बताऊँगा(I will explain)
  • भरतर्षभ (bharatarshabha) — हे भरतश्रेष्ठ(O best of Bharatas)

English: Krishna now explains the two paths after death: one from which the yogi does not return, and one from which the yogi returns.

💡 Commentary Note

Krishna introduces the concept of the two cosmic paths taken by souls at the time of death: the path of no-return and the path of return. This highlights the importance of spiritual focus during transitions.

Learnings from Shloka 23:
  • Two Destinations:: The soul's inner state at death leads it down one of two pathways: liberation or return.
  • Conscious Direction:: Understanding these paths allows the yogi to consciously guide their final departure.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 8.23 with their Hindi and English meanings.

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