Chapter 14 Shlokas 14, 15

यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देह भृत्।

तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते।।१४।।

रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसंगिषु जायते।

तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढ़योनिषु जायते।।१५।।

When the embodied mortal dies whilst his attribute of sattva is in the ascendant, he accesses the highest realms that are pure and luminescent with knowledge. The one who dies whilst the attribute of rajas is in the ascendant, is born amongst those who are attached to action. The one who dies in tamas is born amongst the ignorant and degraded.

Chapter 14 Shlokas 14, 15

यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देह भृत्।

तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते।।१४।।

रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसंगिषु जायते।

तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढ़योनिषु जायते।।१५।।

The Lord describes here, the fruits attained by one who was overtaken by death in the course of his spiritual advancement.

When the embodied mortal dies whilst his attribute of sattva is in the ascendant, he accesses the highest realms that are pure and luminescent with knowledge. The one who dies whilst the attribute of rajas is in the ascendant, is born amongst those who are attached to action. The one who dies in tamas is born amongst the ignorant and degraded.

Little one, the Lord is describing the cycle of birth and death. He says that one attains a new birth in accordance withone’s predominant tendency at the time of death.

Seeds sown during the ascendancy of the attribute of sattva

1. Since the attachment of such a one is with Truth;

2. Since his actions are imbued with Truth;

3. Since his basic yearning is for Truth;

4. Since such a one has disseminated his attribute of sattva amongst all,

therefore, the fruits of his tree of life and the seeds formed thereof will all be pervaded with sattva, with the attribute of Truth.

a) Such a seed finds an appropriate soil for rebirth in accordance with its predominant attribute.

b) Such a one attains circumstances and associates in accordance with the appropriate atmosphere required for the nurturing of the sattvic tendencies.

Little one, the Lord says that those who live in the ascendancy of the attribute of sattva and in the luminescence of knowledge, and those who perform great deeds:

a) attain noble families;

b) attain all the means necessary for the progression of their divine tendencies;

c) associate with virtuous and saintly people;

d) enjoy the companionship of those who possess knowledge of the Truth.

Thus one who attains a noble family automatically:

a) attains wealth;

b) attains knowledge;

c) receives the opportunity to perform virtuous deeds;

d) acquires the opportunity to perform selfless deeds;

e) attains the company of saints and sages.

Thus he attains every possible facility due to the predominance of sattvic attributes within him during his previous birth. However, in his present birth, he has to be careful about how he uses all these facilities, and remain vigilant regarding his attitude towards his wealth, knowledge, family and other people.

Seeds sown during the ascendancy of the attribute of rajas

Little one, listen carefully to what I tell you now. Those who are wealthy today have attained all that they possess as a consequence of their good and honourable deeds of several past lives. However, they must now take stock of their present day actions. They must measure themselves with the qualities elucidated in the Scriptures and then they can accurately estimate the fruits of these actions in their future lives. Thus they will be able to gauge that naught but sorrow lies ahead for them. The rajas that lies innate within them does not allow them to live in peace even in their present life; and all that they are doing to others in their present life will inevitably rebound on them in their future births. Then they will suffer the pangs of privation and lack of material prosperity. Then they will suffer the hardships of rejection. Then they will take birth amongst those who are attached to action and may well have to lead a life of servitude under selfish masters.

Seeds sown during the ascendancy of the attribute of tamas

1. Those in whom the attribute of tamas predominates, are themselves foolish and also lead others towards foolish and futile actions.

2. They evade duty themselves and influence others to do the same.

3. They take recourse to false and illusory justifications and teach the same principles to others.

Little one, you must remember that all attributes:

a) reflect the truth;

b) indicate a state of mind;

c) mirror one’s innate point of view;

d) are indicators of the strength or weakness of the intellect which is subservient to the body self.

Most people claim, “My intention was correct.” However, intentions are not enough.

1. Man must measure himself.

2. He must judge his own deeds.

3. He must assess his own desires.

4. He must evaluate his humaneness.

When you like a particular story, you will realise that what you liked was the interaction of its main characters and their principles. You must have appreciated their sacrifices, love and sincerity. Can you not inculcate in yourself those very qualities that you appreciate in their nature? How can you like yourself if you do not practice all that you appreciate – that which you call noble? You must exemplify that behaviour in your own life, which you appreciate in another.

Little one, if you embody what you consciously appreciate and revere, you will automatically proceed towards the attribute of sattva.

Life and birth are dependent on the cycle of action. All actions performed by the body self belong to you as long as your identification with the body remains. When this identification disappears, the body will still perform actions, but those actions will no longer be yours.