When the merit runs out

te taṃ bhuktvā svargalokaṃ viśālaṃ kṣīṇe puṇye martyalokaṃ viśantievaṃ trayīdharmamanuprapannā gatāgataṃ kāmakāmā labhante

Having enjoyed that vast heaven, when their merit is spent, they return to the mortal world. Seeking desires, they come and go.

What it means

Krishna completes the picture. Heaven lasts only as long as the merit that earned it. When it's spent, souls return to earth. Those who follow rituals for the sake of desires keep coming and going, around and around. Not punished, simply still on the wheel.

The story

Arjuna realises that even the warrior's heaven he was promised is a temporary account. Krishna is offering him something that doesn't run out.

In your life

Think of a lottery winner who spends everything and ends up where they started. Rewards run out. Invest in something that grows instead, like love, character and wisdom.