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Guna and Dosha
Those who do not follow the three paths viz., the paths of Bhakti, Jnana and Karma, but who only seek, the fulfilment of paltry desires become subject to birth and death.
Devotion to the duties of one’s caste or stage of station of life is Guna or merit. The reverse is Dosha or defect. This is the proper definition of Guna and Dosha. This is the conclusive view in respect of both merit and defect.
Purity (Suddhi) or impurity (Asuddhi), right or merit (Guna) or wrong or defect (Dosha), auspiciousness (Subha) or inauspiciousness (Asubha) are terms applied to the same objects in relation to religion (Dharma), society (Vyavahara) and living (Yatra) respectively.
I have explained or laid down Achara or rules of life for those, who want to be guided by Dharma. In order to know the righteous path as distinct from the unrighteous, how a certain course is admissible in a Brahmana or Kshatriya and the like and what may be adopted for the sake of barely sustaining life, O sinless one, this customary course of conduct has been explained by Me as Manu and other law-givers, to those who are disposed to bear the burden termed the righteous courses of Karma.
The body of all beings from Brahma down to the least inanimate particle is composed of earth, water, fire, air and ether. They are all ensouled by Atman.
O Uddhava, though their bodies are thus similar, yet the Vedas have created distinct names and forms as Varna, Ashrama, in order that creatures may attain their distinct purpose viz., Dharma, Artha,Kama or Moksha in respect of bodies of the same kind, working under the rules laid down for each. [The object is to put a limit to the natural inclinations and thereby to secure Dharma, Artha etc.]
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