Chapter 14, Verse 15
Part of 14: Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yog — गुणत्रयविभागयोगरजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते।तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते॥
Transliteration
rajasi pralayaṁ gatvā karma-saṅgiṣhu jāyate tathā pralīnas tamasi mūḍha-yoniṣhu jāyate
Meaning
Meeting death in Rajas, he is born among those who are attached to action; and dying in Tamas, he is born in the womb of the thoughtless.
Word-by-word meaning
rajasi — in the mode of passionpralayam — deathgatvā — attainingkarma-saṅgiṣhu — among people driven by workjāyate — are borntathā — likewisepralīnaḥ — dyingtamasi — in the mode of ignorancemūḍha-yoniṣhu — in the animal kingdomjāyate — takes birth
Commentary
Meeting with death in Rajas If he dies when Rajas is predominant in him, he is born among men who are attached to action. If he dies when Tamas is fully predominant in him, he takes birth in ignorant species such as cattle, birds, beasts or insects. He may take his birth amongst the dull and the stupid or the lowest grades of human beings. He need not take the body of an animal. This is the view of some persons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 15?▼
Meeting death in Rajas, he is born among those who are attached to action; and dying in Tamas, he is born in the womb of the thoughtless.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 15 of Chapter 14 (Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Understanding the Three Modes of Material Nature) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.