Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 26

English Translation

These two courses of the world, which are white and black, are verily considered eternal. By the one a man goes to the State of Non-return; by the other he returns again.

Detailed Commentary

Explanation: 'Shukla-Krishna Gati hyete jagatah shashvate mate' (These two paths, the bright and the dark, are considered eternal for the world). The paths of Shukla (light) and Krishna (dark) are connected with all moving and non-moving beings. This means that the upward path (Urdhva-gati) is directly related to humans, while for moving and non-moving beings, it is indirectly related. Moving and non-moving beings, by the grace of Bhagavan, eventually attain human birth. According to their karmas, they experience Urdhva (upward), Madhya (middle), and Adho (downward) paths. Whether they attain the upward path or not, all are connected to the Shukla and Krishna paths. As long as a human cherishes and desires perishable things, they can fall to lower states (Adho-gati), even if residing in higher realms of enjoyment (Bhoga-bhumi). Similarly, being a part of the Paramatma, they can sometimes attain an upward path. Therefore, the seeker (Sadhaka) should remain vigilant and not attach importance to perishable things. This implies that there is no obstacle to attaining Paramatma in any Loka (realm) or Yoni (species). The reason is that the connection of any being with Paramatma is never severed. One never knows when and in which species a being might progress towards Paramatma, hence a Sadhaka should not despise any creature. In the fourth chapter, Bhagavan has called 'Yoga' imperishable (Avyaya). Just as Yoga is imperishable, so too are these two paths, Shukla and Krishna, eternal (Shashvata), and their sequence has existed since beginningless time and will continue. 'Ekaya yaty anavrittim anyaya avartate punah' (By one, one attains non-return; by the other, one returns again). That is, those who depart by the Shukla path attain Anavritti (non-return), meaning they become liberated with Brahma in Brahmaloka and do not enter the cycle of birth and death. On the other hand, those who depart by the Krishna path repeatedly enter the cycle of birth and death. Context: Now, Bhagavan speaks the next verse to elucidate the importance of knowing both these paths.