Verse 8.198.18.28.38.48.58.68.78.88.98.108.118.128.138.148.158.168.178.188.198.208.218.228.238.248.258.268.278.28

This same multitude of beings, being born again and again, is dissolved, helplessly, O Arjuna (into the Unmanifested) at the coming of the night and comes forth at the coming of the day.

This same host of beings, coming into being again and again, dissolves helplessly at the coming of night, son of Pritha, and arises at the coming of day.

The same host of beings, Krishna says, comes into existence again and again. At the coming of night it dissolves helplessly, avaśa, and at the coming of day it arises again. The word helplessly is striking. Beings caught in this cycle do not control it; they are carried along by forces greater than themselves. The verse emphasizes the bondage involved in the round of existence and makes the following promise of something beyond it all the more significant.