Chapter 8 Text 26-28 Passing away in light and darkness! Devotee not afraid of passing away in either light or darkness.

çukla-kåñëe gaté hy ete Text 26 çukla-kåñëe gaté hy ete jagataù çäçvate mate ekayä yäty anävåttim anyayävartate punaù According to Vedic opinion, there are two ways of passing from this world—one in light and one in darkness. When one passes in light, he does not come back; but when one passes in darkness, he returns.

Passing away in light and darkness. Light means knowledge & knowledge means knowledge of spirit and matter and controller of both. Darkness means ignorance & ignorance means no knowledge of spirit and matter and controller of both and in addition cultivate knowledge for sense gratification. Result of passing in light and darkness.

Text 27 naite såté pärtha jänan yogé muhyati kaçcana tasmät sarveñu käleñu yoga-yukto bhavärjuna Although the devotees know these two paths, O Arjuna, they are never bewildered. Therefore be always fixed in devotion.

Devotee is not affraid Concern over either of these two paths is troublesome. The best way to be absorbed in Kåñëa consciousness and this will make one’s path to the spiritual kingdom safe, certain and direct. Therefore the devotee is not disturbed by these descriptions, because he knows that his passage to the supreme abode is guaranteed by devotional service.

Bhisma is perfect example. Bhagavad-Gita spoken in month of Mārgashīrsha (December). Sun starts travelling to north from Makara Sankranti (Jan.14). Bhisma waiting for Krsna to come and not Makara Sankranti.

Text 28 vedeñu yajïeñu tapaùsu caiva däneñu yat puëya-phalaà pradiñöam atyeti tat sarvam idaà viditvä yogé paraà sthänam upaiti cädyam A person who accepts the path of devotional service is not bereft of the results derived from studying the Vedas, performing austere sacrifices, giving charity or pursuing philosophical and fruitive activities. Simply by performing devotional service, he attains all these, and at the end he reaches the supreme eternal abode.

Purpose of Varnashram following Study of the Vedas is not meant for the recreation of armchair speculators, but for the formation of character. By carrying out the orders of brahmacarya, householder life, vänaprastha and finally sannyäsa, one becomes elevated to the perfectional stage of life. Perfection by either going to heavenly planets or more perfect by liberation and going to Brahmajyoti or Vaikuntha Lokas. By engaging in devotional service, one can surpass all the rituals of the different orders of life.

Understanding of Bhagavad-Gita Middle six chapters of Bhagavad-Gita are like cream and 1st six chapters and last six chapters to protect the essence. One should try to understand these chapters not by scholarship or mental speculation but by hearing them in association with devotees. If one is fortunate enough to understand Bhagavad-gétä especially these middle six chapters in the association of devotees, then his life at once becomes glorified beyond all penances, sacrifices, charities, speculations, etc., for one can achieve all the results of these activities simply by Kåñëa consciousness.

Association of devotees One who has a little faith in Bhagavad-gétä should learn Bhagavad-gétä from a devotee. By advancement in the association of the devotee one is placed in devotional service, and this service dispels all one’s misgivings about Kåñëa, or God, and Kåñëa’s activities, form, pastimes, name and other features. In the advanced stage, one falls completely in love with Kåñëa.