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The Bhagavad Gita · 2 of 2 · tr. Kashinath Trimbak Telang

Chapter VIII, Section 1b

This same assemblage of entities, being produced again and again, dissolves on the advent of night, and, O son of P ri thâ! issues forth on the advent of day, without a will of its own . But there is another entity, unperceived and eternal, and distinct from this unperceived (principle), which is not destroyed when all entities are destroyed. It is called the unperceived, the indestructible; they call it the highest goal. Attaining to it, none returns . That is my supreme abode. That supreme Being, O son of P ri thâ! he in whom all these entities dwell , and by whom all this is permeated, is to be attained to by reverence not (directed) to another. I will state the times, O descendant of Bharata! at which devotees departing (from this world) go, never to return, or to return. The fire, the flame , the day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the northern solstice, departing (from the world) in these, those who know the Brahman go to the Brahman. Smoke, night, the dark fortnight, the six months of the southern solstice, (dying) in these, the devotee goes to the lunar light and returns . These two paths, bright and dark, are deemed to be eternal in this world . By the one, (a man) goes never to return, by the other he comes back. Knowing these two paths, O son of P ri thâ! no devotee is deluded . Therefore at all times be possessed of devotion, O Ar g una! A devotee knowing all this , obtains all the holy fruit which is prescribed for (study of) the Vedas, for sacrifices, and also for penances and gifts, and he attains to the highest and primeval seat.
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Themes
◆Apocatastasiscosmology

The doctrine of the periodic restoration or recurrence of all things to their original state after vast cycles.

The description of entities dissolving and issuing forth again suggests a cyclical nature of existence, though the ultimate goal is to break this cycle.

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◆Apophatic Theologytheology

Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.

The supreme entity is repeatedly defined by what it is not: 'unperceived,' 'indestructible,' and distinct from the perceived world.

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◆Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The supreme entity is explicitly called 'unperceived' and distinct from the perceived principle, indicating a radical concealment.

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◆Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The text emphasizes that 'knowing' the two paths and Brahman prevents delusion and leads to the highest goal, prioritizing knowledge over mere ritual.

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◆Monadcosmology

The absolutely simple, undivided first principle from which all multiplicity and existence flows.

The passage describes an 'unperceived and eternal' entity distinct from the changing assemblage of entities, which serves as the supreme abode and source.

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◆Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

The passage outlines specific cosmic times and paths (bright and dark) that determine the soul's destination after death, functioning as a guide for the post-mortem journey.

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◆Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The central theme is the soul's departure from the cycle of rebirth to attain the 'supreme abode' and 'highest goal' from which it does not return.

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◆Soul Migrationcosmology

The transmigration of the soul across lives.

The text explicitly details the cycle of entities dissolving and issuing forth again, and describes paths for devotees that lead either to return (reincarnation) or non-return.

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◆Unity Of Beingtheology

The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.

The passage states that the supreme Being is 'in whom all these entities dwell' and 'by whom all this is permeated,' suggesting a non-dual underlying reality.

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Related passages · 1 parallel
◆egyptian|The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani)|Chapter 8 (part 7)
“The sacred Form, beloved, terrible and mighty in his two risings (?), the lord of space, the mighty one of the form of Khepera, who came into existence through Khepera, the lord of the form of Khepera; when he came into being nothing existe…”
Both passages discuss the eternal nature of a supreme being and the cyclical nature of existence. The Bhagavad Gita describes the unperceived, indestructible entity and the two paths of the bright and dark, while the Egyptian text describes the eternal and renewing nature of the divine being, Khepera. Both emphasize the eternal and unchanging aspect of the divine amidst the cyclical nature of the world.