Demonic are those worlds called, wrapped in blind darkness. To them go after death those who slay the Self.

This verse presents a severe warning, contrasting with the luminous vision of the first two verses.

Asuryāḥ nāma te lokāḥ — those worlds called asuryā. The word asurya means “sunless” or “demonic” (from a-sūrya, without sun, or related to asura). These are not necessarily physical places but states of consciousness characterized by ignorance.

Andhena tamasā āvṛtāḥ — wrapped in blind darkness. Andha tamas is the darkness that blinds, ignorance so deep that it doesn’t even know it is ignorance. It is not simply not knowing, but not knowing that one doesn’t know.

Ye ke ca ātmahanaḥ janāḥ — those who slay the Self. Ātmahan is a strong term: the killer of Ātman. How can one kill what is immortal? Not literally, but through denial, forgetfulness, willful ignorance of our true nature.

Tān te pretya abhigacchanti — to those worlds they go after departing (dying). The result of living in denial of the Self is to perpetuate that denial.

This verse is not a theological threat but a psychological description: whoever lives ignoring their essential nature continues in that darkness. The practice of yoga is precisely the path out of that blindness.