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Chapter 14
Link:- In the next two verses, the Lord points out the destiny, which awaits a man, who dies during the predominance of one of the modes of nature.
yada sattve pravrddhe to pralayam yati dehabhrt
tadottamavidam lokanamalanpratipadyate
When a man dies during the predominance of Sattva (gupa), he obtains the pure worlds attained by men of noble deeds. 14
Comment:-
Yada sattve pravrddhe to pralayam yati dehabhrt tadottamavidam lokanamalanpratipadyate:- A man, may be naturally established in anyone, of the three guns (modes)—Sattva, Rajas or Tamas. Sattvaguna, in its nature is immaculate. He who dies during the predominance of Sattva (goodness), he attains to the pure worlds of those, who perform noble deeds.
The term 'Uttamavidam', denotes the knower of the highest (great sages), having lofty feelings, possessing true knowledge and performing pious, actions. A person, who dies in the mode of goodness, which may be a temporary phase of his life, is elevated, to the worlds, where great sages and saints live. It means, that good traits born of the modes of nature, are as good as, are pious actions. From this view-point, there is greater importance of feelings (modes), in actions, than inactions themselves, which are sanctioned by scriptures. Therefore, the mode of goodness, occupies a very high place. Out of the objects, actions, modes and aim, actions are superior to objects, modes are superior to actions, and aim is superior, to the modes.
The mode of goodness, is more subtle and widespread, than the modes of passion and ignorance. In the world, also the diet of subtle beings, is less than of gross ones, as the gods being subtle, are satisfied only with fragrance. But, as far as, power is concerned, the power of the subtle, is more than, the gross. So persons having predominance of the subtle mode (feelings) of goodness, attain to the higher world.
Now a doubt arises as to how a person, who dies during the predominance of the Sattva (goodness), which may be a temporary phase of his life, attains to the higher worlds, attained by those, who perform virtuous actions, throughout their life. The answer is, that there is a special concession from the Lord that at the time of death, by thinking of whatever object that, one leaves the body, that and that alone, he attains (Gita 8/6). So a person, dying during the predominance of the mode of goodness, attains to the higher pure worlds, there is no doubt, about it.
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