Chapter 8 • Verse 26
शुक्लकृष्णे गती ह्येते जगतः शाश्वते मते। एकया यात्यनावृत्तिमन्ययावर्तते पुनः॥
śhukla-kṛiṣhṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śhāśhvate mate ekayā yāty anāvṛittim anyayāvartate punaḥ
Meaning
These two paths — the light and the dark — are considered eternal. By one, a person attains non-return; by the other, one returns again.
Two eternal paths exist: one leads to liberation (non-return), the other to rebirth (return). These represent states of consciousness as much as after-death journeys. Light represents full awakening; darkness represents partial realization. Which path you take depends on your inner state.
Strength Reflection
"I choose the path of complete awakening that leads to no return."
Devotional Surrender
Lord, establish me so firmly in light that darkness never claims me.