Chapter 8 • Verse 23
यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः। प्रयाता यान्ति तं कालं वक्ष्यामि भरतर्षभ॥
yatra kāle tv anāvṛittim āvṛittiṁ chaiva yoginaḥ prayātā yānti taṁ kālaṁ vakṣhyāmi bharatarṣhabha
Meaning
I shall now tell you, O best of the Bharatas, the times at which yogis departing attain freedom from rebirth or return.
Krishna now discusses the paths of light and darkness — the routes the soul takes at death. The timing of death was traditionally believed to influence the soul's destination. However, this teaching ultimately points to the metaphor of consciousness states rather than literal clock times.
Strength Reflection
"I prepare for the journey beyond death with understanding and without fear."
Devotional Surrender
Lord, whatever time or path I travel, let me reach You alone.