Chapter 14: Guṇa-traya-vibhāga-yoga:: Verse 15
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते ।
तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते ॥
rajasi pralayaṃ gatvā karma-saṅgiṣu jāyate
tathā pralīnas-tamasi mūḍha-yoniṣu jāyate – 14.15
By courting death when rajas is predominant, one is born among those who cling to activities. And dying while tamas dominates, one is born in deluded and ignorant wombs.
Chapter 14: Guṇa-traya-vibhāga-yoga: - Verse 15
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Just in one śloka, Krishna disposes of the post-death fates rajas and tamas bring about. This is so, because everyone’s choice must be to enhance sattva as much and as soon as possible. All our spiritual learning is to ensure this. Sattva alone has salutary and beneficial effects. Reducing rajas and tamas, everyone should strive to enhance sattva.
On leaving the world when rajas is dominant, Krishna says, one gets born among those passionately given to sensory, worldly activities. They make no effort to know and reflect upon the higher spiritual aspects of life. The loss and waste are colossal. But the rājasa people have no concern for such a plight.
The case with tamas-dominance is the worst. Ignorance and delusion overpower such people. Dying during its prevalence, one gets born among the foolish and deluded, to court again the worst outcomes.
