The Bhagavad Gita is one of the sacred texts of Hinduism, and is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, the Divine One. In the excerpt used for Sukla-Krsne, Krishna explains to the prince that there are two paths to the afterlife; 1) a death by day, which leads to the supreme abode, and 2) a death by night, which leads to an earthly return. But rather than dwell on the time and place of passing, he advises Arjuna to fix his devotion on the Krishna consciousness, and to detach himself from material concerns; and in doing so, his place among the supreme will be assured. 'Sukla-Krsne' means 'Light and Darkness'--a duality which serves as a basis for the constantly shifting moods of the song.

Lyrics:

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

yatra kale tv anavrttim
avrttim caiva yoginah
prayata yanti tam kalam
vaksyami bharatarsabha

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

dhumo ratris tatha krishnah
san-masa daksinayanam
tatra candramasam jyotir
yogi prapya nivartate

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

The paths of light and darkness are as
beginningless and endless as the material
universe - by one is liberation attained, and
by the other, rebirth.

The times during which, after passing from
this world, the Yogi are either liberated or
reborn, I shall now describe to you, greatest
of the Bharata.

By Fire, Light, and Day, during the fortnight
of the waxing moon and the summer solstice
- those who pass then from this world and
know the Supreme shall attain the Supreme.

By Smoke and Night, during the fortnight of
the waning moon and the winter solstice -
those yogi who pass then from this world
will, upon reaching the illuminated moon, be
reborn.

Knowing of these different paths, the
devotee is never deluded. Therefore, be
always engaged in devotion.