"yatra kale tv anavrttim avrttim caiva yoginah। prayata yanti tam kalam vaksyami bharatarsabha॥ 8.23 ॥

O Arjuna, I shall now explain to you the different times at which, passing away from this world, the yogi does or does not come back.

agnir jyotir ahah suklah san-masa uttarayanam। tatra prayata gacchanti brahma brahma-vido janah॥ 8.24 ॥

Those who know the Supreme Brahman attain that Supreme by passing away from the world during the influence of the fiery god, in the light, at an auspicious moment of the day, during the fortnight of the waxing moon, or during the six months when the sun travels in the north.

"dhumo ratris tatha krishnah san-masa daksinayanam। tatra candramasam jyotir yogi prapya nivartate॥ 8.25 ॥

The mystic who passes away from this world during the smoke, the night, the fortnight of the waning moon, or the six months when the sun passes to the south reaches the moon planet but again comes back.

sukla-krsne gati hy ete jagatah sasvate mate। ekaya yaty anavrttim anyayavartate punah॥ 8.26 ॥

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.

naite srti partha janan yogi muhyati kascana। tasmat sarveshu kaleshu yoga-yukto bhavarjuna॥ 8.27 ॥

Although the devotees know these two paths, O Arjuna, they are never bewildered. Therefore be always fixed in devotion.

vedesu yajnesu tapahsu caiva danesu yat punya-phalam pradistam। atyeti tat sarvam idam viditva yogi param sthanam upaiti cadyam॥ 8.28 ॥

A human being 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.