Srimad Bhagavadgita -Ramsukhdas 1681

Srimad Bhagavadgita Sadhaka Sanjivani -Swami Ramsukhdas

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Chapter 17

Similarly, the unseen fruit can also be divided into two parts - here and hereafter. As sacrifice, which is performed for the sake of ostentation [1], the penance which is performed, in order to win respect, honour and reverence[2] and a gift which is made with the hope of a return[3], bear fruit here.[4] But, if these are performed, in order to attain heaven, they bear fruit, hereafter. Rajasika sacrifice, which is performed for its fruit[5], and the gift made for a reward[6] can bear fruit, here as well as, hereafter. Out of those, who perform sacrifice, in order to attain heaven[7] and those who perform sacrifice, penance and make a gift, for ostentation, respect, honour, reverence and reward, follow the cycle of birth and death.</ref>If the rajasika people's ostentation is excessive[8], it may be conducive to hells.</ref> But the tamasika people who perform tamasika sacrifice and penance[9] have a fall[10], into the foulest hell[11], into demoniacal wombs[12] and go down, to the lowest state[13].
Those, who go to heaven, as the fruit of their sacrifice, suffer from envy, jealousy and vanity there.[14] Satakratu, the king of gods, is pained, because of atrocities of demons. Moreover, he has a burning sensation, in his heart when he beholds anyone performing penance, because he thinks that the person is doing so, in order to usurp his throne.

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References

  1. ↑ 17/12
  2. ↑ 17/18
  3. ↑ 17/21
  4. ↑ The future fruit of the seen and the fruit here of the unseen of the rajasika mode though seem similar yet are different. As the food will bear fruit in the form of diseases, that is future fruit of the seen. But the sacrifice which is performed so that a son may be born bears fruit here in the form of the birth of a son by turning itself into fate. So it is the fruit here of the unseen.
  5. ↑ 17/12
  6. ↑ 17/21
  7. ↑ 2/42-43; 9/20-21
  8. ↑ 17/12, 18
  9. ↑ 17/13, 19
  10. ↑ 14/18
  11. ↑ 16/16
  12. ↑ 16/19
  13. ↑ 16/20
  14. ↑ In heaven also there am three categories - high, middle and low. Those who belong to the high category have vanity, because they are superior to the other two types and they are envious of those who me of the same category. Similarly those of middle class are proud as they consider them superior to those of the low class and have a burning sensation having seen the superior heavenly luxuries of those of the high class. In the same may those of the low class are envious and jealous of the other two classes as well as of their own class and they are proud when they think of those who have not attained heaven.Their residence (of the three categories) in heaven is not permanent because they have to return to the world of mortals when their merits are exhausted (Gita 9121) and they remain worried after thinking of it.