Two paths

Sri bhagavan uvaca: Loke 'smin dvividha nishtha pura prokta mayanagha, jnana-yogena sankhyanam karma-yogena yoginam

Krishna explains that from the beginning of creation He has taught two paths: the path of knowledge (jnana yoga) for the contemplative, and the path of action (karma yoga) for the active. Both lead to the same supreme goal.

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.

Shukla-krishne gati hy ete jagatah shashvate mate, ekaya yaty anavrittim anyayavartate punah

These two paths — the bright and the dark — are said to be the world's two eternal paths. By one, one goes and does not return; by the other, one returns again. These two paths, the path of light and the path of smoke, are eternal cosmic paths. One leads to permanent liberation; the other to eventual rebirth.

Naite srtii partha janan yogi muhyati kashcana, tasmat sarveshu kaleshu yoga-yukto bhavarjuna

O Partha, knowing these two paths, no yogi is deluded. Therefore, O Arjuna, be steadfast in yoga at all times. Knowing the two paths removes fear of death and confusion about the afterlife — this knowledge empowers the yogi to practice steadily without anxiety.

Dvau bhuta-sargau loke 'smin daiva asura eva ca, daivo vistarashah prokta asura partha me shrinu

There are two kinds of created beings in this world — the divine and the demoniac. The divine has been described at length; now hear from Me about the demoniac, O Partha. This verse marks the transition from describing divine qualities to the demoniac, establishing that humanity is broadly divided into these two spiritual orientations.