Topic

Return

2 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on return. Explore teachings across 2 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 8 • Verse 23 →The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman
Yatra kale tv anavrittim avrittim caiva yoginah, prayata yanti tam kalam vakshyami bharatarshabha

O best of the Bharatas, I shall now explain the different times at which, departing from this world, yogis either do not return or do return. Krishna introduces the teaching of the two paths — the bright path of no-return and the dark path of return — revealing that even the time of death influences the spiritual outcome.

  • •The time and manner of death have spiritual consequences for the yogi
  • •There are two cosmic paths that determine whether a soul returns or is liberated
  • •Even the moment of death is part of yogic awareness
two pathsdeathliberationyogic death
Chapter 9 • Verse 21 →The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret
Te tam bhuktva svarga-lokam vishalam kshine punye martya-lokam vishanti, evam trayi-dharmam anuprapanna gatagatam kama-kama labhante

After enjoying that vast heavenly realm, when their accumulated merit is exhausted, they return to the mortal world. Thus those who seek enjoyment through the Vedic rituals go and come back, driven by desire. Without desireless devotion, the soul remains caught in the cycle of ascent and descent.

  • •All temporary heavens are eventually left behind when merit is exhausted
  • •Desire perpetuates the cycle of repeated birth and death
  • •Only desireless worship of God grants permanent liberation
impermanencesamsaradesireheavenly realm