Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 8 Aksara Brahma Yogah

Aksara Brahma Yogah - One day of Brahma is said to extend over a thousand ages, and his night over another thousand ages. Those who know this understand day and night.

सहस्रयुगपर्यन्तमहर्यद्ब्रह्मणो विदु: |
रात्रिं युगसहस्रान्तां तेऽहोरात्रविदो जना: ||17||

One day of Brahma is said to extend over a thousand ages, and his night over another thousand ages. Those who know this understand day and night.

Sahasra-yuga: A cycle of a thousand ages.
Ahar: Day, often referring to Brahma’s day.
Ratri: Night, often referring to Brahma’s night.

The vast timescales of Brahma’s day and night provide perspective on the impermanence of material existence. This commentary invites reflection on the insignificance of worldly pursuits in the grand cosmic cycle.

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अव्यक्ताद्व्यक्तय: सर्वा: प्रभवन्त्यहरागमे |
रात्र्यागमे प्रलीयन्ते तत्रैवाव्यक्तसञ्ज्ञके ||18||

All beings come forth from the unmanifest at the arrival of day, and at nightfall, they dissolve into the unmanifest again.

Avyakta: The unmanifested state.
Prabhava: Creation or origin.
Samjnaka: That which is named or identified.

The interplay of creation and dissolution tied to Brahma’s day and night illustrates the cyclical nature of existence. The commentary emphasizes detachment from these cycles and striving for the unchanging eternal reality.

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Aksara Brahma Yogah - This multitude of beings, repeatedly created and dissolved, comes into existence helplessly, O Partha, at the arrival of day and night.

भूतग्राम: स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते |
रात्र्यागमेऽवश: पार्थ प्रभवत्यहरागमे ||19||

This multitude of beings, repeatedly created and dissolved, comes into existence helplessly, O Partha, at the arrival of day and night.

Bhuta-grama: Multitude of beings.
Ahar-agame: At the arrival of day.
Ratri-agame: At the arrival of night.

Krishna’s insight into the repetitive creation and dissolution of beings highlights the inevitability of change. The commentary encourages mindfulness of this impermanence to inspire efforts toward liberation.

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Aksara Brahma Yogah - But beyond this unmanifest existence, there is another eternal unmanifest reality, which does not perish even when all beings perish.

परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातन: |
य: स सर्वेषु भूतेषु नश्यत्सु न विनश्यति ||20||

But beyond this unmanifest existence, there is another eternal unmanifest reality, which does not perish even when all beings perish.

Sanatana: Eternal or timeless.
Parabhava: Supreme existence.
Vinashyati: That which does not perish.

The eternal unmanifest reality beyond creation and destruction offers hope for transcendence. The commentary guides seekers to focus on the eternal, surpassing the temporary and mutable aspects of existence.

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Aksara Brahma Yogah - That which is called the unmanifest and imperishable is said to be the supreme destination. Having reached it, one does not return. That is My supreme abode.

अव्यक्तोऽक्षर इत्युक्तस्तमाहु: परमां गतिम् |
यं प्राप्य न निवर्तन्ते तद्धाम परमं मम ||21||

That which is called the unmanifest and imperishable is said to be the supreme destination. Having reached it, one does not return. That is My supreme abode.

Aksharam: Imperishable reality.
Paramam Gatim: The supreme destination.
Dham: The abode or ultimate place.

The description of Krishna’s supreme abode underscores its eternal and unchanging nature. This commentary explores liberation as reaching a state beyond return, where divine bliss is the sole reality.

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Aksara Brahma Yogah - That Supreme Person, O Partha, in whom all beings reside and by whom this whole universe is pervaded, is attainable only by single-minded devotion.

पुरुष: स पर: पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया |
यस्यान्त:स्थानि भूतानि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् ||22||

That Supreme Person, O Partha, in whom all beings reside and by whom this whole universe is pervaded, is attainable only by single-minded devotion.

Parah Purusha: The supreme person.
Antah-sthani: Residing within.
Tatam: Pervaded throughout.

The supreme person as the pervader and sustainer of all beings ties personal devotion to cosmic oneness. This commentary highlights the interconnectedness of individual effort and universal support in spiritual pursuits.

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Aksara Brahma Yogah - O best of the Bharatas, now I will describe to you the paths of return and non-return, the times at which the yogis depart and do not return or do return.

यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिन: |
प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ||23||

O best of the Bharatas, now I will describe to you the paths of return and non-return, the times at which the yogis depart and do not return or do return.

Avrittim: Non-return or liberation.
Kalam: Time as a concept.
Yoginah: Practitioners of yoga.

The times of departure reveal paths of return and non-return, showcasing the importance of timing and readiness. The commentary reflects on the yogic perspective of death as a strategic transition rather than an end.

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