|
Chapter 14
Link:—In the fourteenth and the fifteenth verses, the Lord indicated the destiny, which awaits a man dying during the predominance of one of the modes of nature. Now in the next verse, He explains the different destinies awaiting those dying who are established, in the three guns (modes of nature).
iadhvarir gacchanti sattvastha madhye tisthanti rajasah
jaghanyagunavrttistha adho gacchanti tamasah
Those, who are established in the mode of goodness rise high, those in the mode of passion, remain in the middle (regions); and those in the mode of ignorance sink low. 18
Comment:-
Urdhvam gacchanti sattvastha:- Sattvastha (who are established in the mode of goodness), are those who have the predominance of the mode of goodness, and who because of that mode, observe self-control and fast, offer charity, and perform virtuous actions, such as running of cowpens and water huts, construction of roads, plantation of trees and supply of food free of cost etc. Such people, after giving up these physical body, go upwards to regions higher than the earth, viz., heaven etc., referred to in the fourteenth verse of the chapter, as the pure worlds of those, who know the Highest. Those persons who go to higher regions, have predominance of the fire element in their bodies acquired there.
Madhye tirthanti rajasah:- 'Rajasah' (who are established in the mode of passion), are those who have predominance of passion and attachment, and who are engaged in pleasure and prosperity, without going against the ordinance of scriptures. Such persons, are reborn on the earth, as human beings, in whom there is predominance of the earth element.
The term 'tistltanti' (dwell), denotes that they dwell in the middle region i.e., they are reborn as human beings on the earth, because of their attachment to things and persons etc., while their conduct is in accordance with the ordinance of scriptures.
Jaghanyagunavrttistha adho gacchanti tamasah:- Persons having predominance of the mode of ignorance, being overpowered by heedlessness, indolence and sleep, waste their time and money, on trifles and futile pursuits. They do not discharge their duties sincerely, they think ill of others and they perform evil actions, such as theft, robbery and fraud etc. Such persons, die in the predominance of Tamoguna', go downhill, and degrade themselves.
|
|