Gita14.14 & 15
यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देहभृत् |
तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते || 14 ||
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते |
तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते || 15 ||
yadā sattve pravṛiddhe tu pralayaṁ yāti deha-bhṛit
tadottama-vidāṁ lokān amalān pratipadyate
rajasi pralayaṁ gatvā karma-saṅgiṣhu jāyate
tathā pralīnas tamasi mūḍha-yoniṣhu jāyate
Shree Krishna explains that a soul’s future destiny depends on the guṇas (qualities) it cultivates. According to the law of karma, everyone receives outcomes they deserve. Souls who develop virtues, knowledge, and a spirit of service are reborn in noble or spiritually inclined families or may attain higher celestial realms. Those driven by greed and material desires take birth in business-oriented families, while those overcome by laziness, violence, and ignorance descend to lower births, even into animal forms. The human form is not guaranteed permanently—if misused, it can be lost. Thus, the soul’s evolution can move upward, stay stagnant, or decline, depending on the predominance of its guṇas.
Gita 14.16
कर्मण: सुकृतस्याहु: सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम् |
रजसस्तु फलं दु:खमज्ञानं तमस: फलम् || 16 ||
karmaṇaḥ sukṛitasyāhuḥ sāttvikaṁ nirmalaṁ phalam
rajasas tu phalaṁ duḥkham ajñānaṁ tamasaḥ phalam
People dominated by sattva possess purity, virtue, knowledge, and selflessness. Their actions are driven by good intentions and bring uplifting results. Those ruled by rajas act out of desire and ambition, seeking personal gain and sense gratification, which only increases their cravings. Those under the influence of tamas disregard moral and spiritual principles, engage in sinful or harmful acts, and sink deeper into ignorance and delusion.
Gita 14.17
सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च |
प्रमादमोहौ तमसो भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च || 17 ||
sattvāt sañjāyate jñānaṁ rajaso lobha eva cha
pramāda-mohau tamaso bhavato ’jñānam eva cha
Shree Krishna explains that the different outcomes of the three guṇas arise from their distinct effects. Sattva guṇa fosters wisdom, self-control, and contentment, leading to virtuous and intelligent actions. Rajo guṇa excites the senses and fuels endless desires, causing people to chase wealth and pleasure without true fulfilment. Tamo guṇa brings ignorance and laziness, leading to immoral actions and their negative consequences.
Gita 14.18
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसा: |
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसा: || 18 ||
ūrdhvaṁ gachchhanti sattva-sthā madhye tiṣhṭhanti rājasāḥ
jaghanya-guṇa-vṛitti-sthā adho gachchhanti tāmasāḥ
Shree Krishna teaches that a soul’s next birth depends on the dominant guṇa in its personality. After death, souls go to realms that match their inner qualities—just as students are admitted to colleges based on their performance. Those in sattva guṇa ascend to higher celestial worlds, those in rajo guṇa return to earthly existence, and those in tamo guṇa descend to lower realms. However, souls who rise above all three guṇas attain union with the Divine.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita [English]- 4.10.2025
