Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 25

Chapter 8 – Akshara Brahma Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

धूमो रात्रिस्तथा कृष्णः षण्मासा दक्षिणायनम् ।
तत्र चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिर्योगी प्राप्य निवर्तते ॥

Transliteration

dhūmo rātristathā kṛṣṇaḥ ṣaṇmāsā dakṣiṇāyanam .
tatra cāndramasaṃ jyotiryogī prāpya nivartate ॥

Meaning

Smoke, night, the dark fortnight and the six months of the southern course of the sun: on this path the yogi reaches the lunar light and returns.

Word meanings

धूमः – smoke
रात्रिः – night
तथा – and likewise
कृष्णः – the dark fortnight
षण्मासाः दक्षिणायनम् – the six months of the southern course
तत्र – there, on that path
चान्द्रमसम् ज्योतिः – the lunar light
योगी – the yogi (follower of ritual works)
प्राप्य – having reached
निवर्तते – returns

Anvaya (word order)

धूमः रात्रिः तथा कृष्णः षण्मासाः दक्षिणायनम् — तत्र योगी चान्द्रमसं ज्योतिः प्राप्य निवर्तते ।

Explanation

The bright path of the previous verse is now set against its opposite, the path of smoke. Here are smoke, night, the dark fortnight and the six months of dakshinayana, all indicating darkness or dimmer light. In the Upanishads this is pitriyana (Chandogya 5.10), in which the soul goes through the deities of smoke and the rest to the lunar world.

For the traveller on this path the word yogi is used. According to Shankara, yogi here means the karma-yogi, one who performs Vedic sacrifice, charity and meritorious works with desire for results but has not reached knowledge of Brahman. By such works he enjoys the happiness of merit in the lunar world, and when the merit is exhausted returns to this world (compare 9.20-21). Hence the words prapya nivartate: reaching the lunar light, he returns.

The statement is not a condemnation but a description of reality. Meritorious works are good and bear fruit, but the fruit is limited. A seeker who stays bound to desire for results keeps revolving in the cycle; one who wants release through knowledge and devotion attains non-return.

So the difference between the two paths lies not in surface time but in inner attitude: on one side the light of knowledge and desirelessness, on the other the dimness of action born of desire.

Context

Verse 8.24 described the bright path. Here is its opposite, the dark path of smoke, in which one returns. The next verse (8.26) gives the summary of both.

Life lesson

Even good deeds done with desire for results give only limited fruit. Action done with desirelessness and knowledge leads toward freedom from bondage; so keep examining your wishes while acting.

Key terms

दक्षिणायन: southward course of the sun, marking the dark path
कृष्ण मार्ग (पितृयान): the dark path of smoke and night leading to return
चान्द्रमस ज्योति: lunar realm of enjoyment of merit