यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः ।
प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ॥
प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे भरतवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन जिस काल अर्थात् मार्गमें शरीर छोड़कर गये हुए योगी अनावृत्तिको प्राप्त होते हैं अर्थात् पीछे लौटकर नहीं आते और जिस मार्गमें गये हुए आवृत्तिको प्राप्त होते हैं अर्थात् पीछे लौटकर आते हैं, उस कालको अर्थात् दोनों मार्गोंको मैं कहूँगा ॥
English
I will tell you of the time when yogis do not return, and the time when they do, O best of the Bharatas.
What this verse means
Krishna says he will explain which departing moments lead to no return and which lead back into return.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield at Kurukshetra, Arjuna still stands frozen while Krishna continues the teaching on death and release. After speaking of the imperishable and the supreme being, Krishna now turns to the path of departure itself, promising to explain which way leads beyond return.
Why this verse still matters
You leave a relationship, a job, or a habit and feel the difference immediately: one choice frees you, another pulls you back into the same cycle. This verse points to that hidden direction.
The takeaway
Some departures open outward; others loop back. Timing matters because direction matters.
Word-by-word translation
यत्र (in which) / काले (time) / तु (indeed) / अनावृत्तिम् (non-return) / आवृत्तिम् (return) / च (and) / एव (indeed) / योगिनः (yogis) / प्रयाताः (having departed) / यान्ति (go) / तम् (that) / कालम् (time) / वक्ष्यामि (I will speak) / भरतर्षभ (O best of the Bharatas)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8: Akshara Brahma Yoga — The Imperishable Absolute, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: moksha (34 verses), akshara brahma (12 verses)