In this verse, Krishna describes the 'Devayana' or the path of light, which represents the trajectory of the soul that has attained the knowledge of Brahman. While often interpreted through the lens of Vedic cosmology—referencing specific times like the northern solstice or the bright fortnight—the inner essence points toward the state of the consciousness at the moment of departure. 'Fire,' 'Light,' and 'Day' symbolize the clarity of wisdom, the luminescence of pure awareness, and the absence of the darkness of ignorance (avidya). For the brahma-vidaḥ (knower of Brahman), these elements are not mere external markers, but inner states of purity and illumination that guide the soul toward the Absolute. This path serves as a contrast to the path of smoke and darkness, illustrating that one’s destiny is inextricably linked to their internal alignment. The departure mentioned is not merely physical death, but the culmination of a life lived in constant remembrance of the Divine. By aligning oneself with the light of truth while still in the body, the seeker ensures that their consciousness remains anchored in Brahman, thereby making the final transit a seamless merging into the Infinite, rather than a return to the cycle of rebirth.

The path to the Absolute is paved with the light of self-realization, where the consciousness of the knower of Brahman merges into the Divine as effortlessly as light returning to its source.