Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 8 Aksara Brahma Yogah

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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Aksara Brahma Yogah - Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, and the six months of the northern solstice—departing then, those who know Brahman go to Brahman.

अग्निर्ज्योतिरह: शुक्ल: षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् |
तत्र प्रयाता गच्छन्ति ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदो जना: ||24||

Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, and the six months of the northern solstice—departing then, those who know Brahman go to Brahman.

Uttarayanam: The northern solstice.
Brahma-vidah: Knowers of Brahman.
Shuklah: The bright path.

Departing during auspicious conditions like the northern solstice reflects alignment with cosmic rhythms. The commentary emphasizes how natural phenomena mirror the seeker’s internal state and progress.

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Aksara Brahma Yogah - Smoke, night, the dark fortnight, and the six months of the southern solstice—departing then, the yogi attains the lunar light and returns.

धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्ण: षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् |
तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते ||25||

Smoke, night, the dark fortnight, and the six months of the southern solstice—departing then, the yogi attains the lunar light and returns.

Dakshinayanam: The southern solstice.
Chandramasam: The lunar sphere.
Nivartate: To return or cycle back.

The path of return through the southern solstice symbolizes incomplete realization. This commentary encourages awareness of the subtle differences in spiritual progress and the importance of striving for full liberation.

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