Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 8: The Imperishable Absolute

Bhagavad Gita 8.26

śuklakṛṣṇe gatī hyete jagataḥ śāśvate mate | ekayā yātyanāvṛttimanyayāvartate punaḥ ||

These two paths of the world, the bright and the dark, are held to be eternal. By the one a person goes and does not return; by the other one comes back again.

Modern context

There are two directions a life can take, and they have always existed. One leads to freedom; the other leads back into the cycle. The image is simple enough for anyone: one road goes on, the other curves around and comes back. Most of us are on both at different times, moving toward light in some parts of life and circling in others. The verse asks us to notice which way we are mostly heading.