Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 24

English Translation

Fire, light, daytime, the birght forrnight, the six months of the Northern solstice-by following this Path, persons who are knowers of Brahman attain Brahman when they die.

Detailed Commentary

8.24 Explanation: 'Agni, Light, Day, Shukla Paksha, Uttarayana' — On this Earth, in the Shukla Marga (the bright path), Agni-devata (the deity of fire) holds the primary authority. Agni gives light at night, but not during the day, because the light of Agni is limited by the light of the day. Therefore, the light of Agni extends for a short distance and duration. Whereas the light of the day extends far and for a long duration. Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight) lasts for fifteen days, which is equivalent to one night for the Pitris (ancestors). Its light extends further and for more days in the sky. Similarly, when Bhagavan Surya (Lord Sun) moves in the northern direction, it is called Uttarayana, during which the daytime increases. This Uttarayana lasts for six months, which is one day for the Devas (celestial beings). Its light also extends further and for a longer duration. 'Those who depart there, the knowers of Brahman, attain Brahman' — Those who travel on the Shukla Marga, that is, the path abundant with light, first come under the authority of Agni-devata. Agni-devata hands them over to the deity of the day. The deity of the day hands them over to the deity of the Shukla Paksha, and the deity of the Shukla Paksha delivers them to the deity of Uttarayana. Then the deity of Uttarayana hands them over to the deity of Brahmaloka. In this way, they progressively reach Brahmaloka. They reside there until the age of Brahma, and during Mahapralaya (the great dissolution), they become liberated along with Brahma — attaining the Sachchidananda Paramatma. Here, the word 'Brahmavidah' refers to those who know Paramatma indirectly, not those Brahmagnanis who experience Brahman directly. This is because if they were direct Brahmagnanis, they would have been liberated here itself (sadyah mukta or jivanmukta) and would not have had to go to Brahmaloka. Connection: Now, in the next verse, the Krishna Marga, i.e., the path of return, will be described.