Namaste,
I would like to add one more point that from brahmaloka, there is no return to earth.
Note: In Gita commentary BG 8.16-18, it is said that there is return from brahmaloka, as it is within the realms of time and brhamA-ji too has his own life. While in brahma-sutra Sankara bhASya 4.4.22, it is said that there is no return from brahmaloka for a karma kANDin and for worshipper of a form of God. (someone needs to check and confirm this. I have not read brahma-sutras but have just heard a saint quoting it some time ago)
OM
Ref from Sutra bhashya
Sutra 4,4.22
अनावृत्तिः शब्दात्, अनावृत्तिः शब्दात् ॥ २२ ॥
anāvṛttiḥ śabdāt, anāvṛttiḥ śabdāt || 22 ||
anāvṛttiḥ—Non-return; śabdāt—on account of scriptural declaration.
22. (There is) no return (for these released souls); on account of scriptural declaration (to that effect).
If the powers of the released souls are limited, then like all limited things they too will come to an end, and consequently the released souls will have to come back from Brahmaloka to this mortal world —says the opponent. The Sutra refutes such a contingency on scriptural authority. Those who go to Brahmaloka by the path of the gods do not return from there. “Going up by that way, one reaches immortality” (Chh. 8. 6. 6.); “They no more return to this world” (Brih. 6. 2. 15).
The repetition of the words “No return” etc. is to show that the book is finished.
Ref from Gita
आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन।
मामुपेत्य तु कौन्तेय पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते।।8.16।।
English translation by Swami Gambhirananda
8.16 O Arjuna, all the worlds together with the world of Brahma are subject to return. But, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth after reaching Me.
English translation by Swami Gambhirananda (on Sri Sankaracharya's Sanskrit Commentary)
8.16 O Arjuna, all the lokah, worlds; abrahma-bhuvanat, together with the world of Brahma-bhuvana is that (place) in which creatures are born, and brahma-bhuvana means the world of Brahma; punah avartinah, are subject to return, are by nature liable to come again; Tu, but; kaunteya, O son of Kunti, na vidyate, there is no; punarjanma, rebirth; upetya, after reaching; mam, Me alone.Why are all the worlds together with the realm of Brahma subject to return? Becuase they are limited by time. How?
Swami Sivananda's commentary clarifies these two contradictions
English commentary by Swami Sivananda
8.16 आब्रह्मभुवनात् up to the world of Brahma, लोकाः worlds, पुनरावर्तिनः subject to return, अर्जुन O Arjuna, माम् Me, उपेत्य having attained, तु but, कौन्तेय O Kaunteya, पुनर्जन्म rebirth, न not, विद्यते is.Commentary: Those devotees who practise Daharopasana (a kind of meditation on the mystic 'space' in the heart) and other devotees who reach Brahmaloka through the path of the gods (Devayana) and attain gradual liberation (Krama-Mukti) will not return again to this world. But those who reach Brahmaloka through the practice of the Panchagni Vidya (a ritual) will enjoy life in Brahmaloka and come back to this world.All the worlds are subjected to return because they are limited or conditioned by time.
Edit: 2: Please refer to BG 8.24 Sankara bhASya. It helps solve contradiction
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