ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसा: ।
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसा: ॥ १८ ॥
ūrdhvaṁ gachchhanti sattva-sthā madhye tiṣhṭhanti rājasāḥ
jaghanya-guṇa-vṛitti-sthā adho gachchhanti tāmasāḥ
श्लोक १८: जो लोग सत्त्व गुण अपनाते हैं वे ऊपर की ओर बढ़ते हैं, जो रजस अपनाते हैं वो मध्य में रह जाते हैं, और तमस से प्रभावित लोग नकारात्मक गुणों से भरे होते हैं और नीचे की ओर गिर जाते हैं।
Shloka 18: Those who are inclined towards the quality of Sattva progress upwards, those attached to Rajas remain in the middle and those filled with the negative qualities influenced by Tamas descend downwards.
In Bhagavad Gita verse 14.18, Lord Krishna explains the destinations that await souls based on which mode of material nature dominates their consciousness. This verse presents a clear cosmic hierarchy of movement: those established in sattva (goodness) move upward, those in rajas (passion) remain in the middle realms, and those in tamas (ignorance) descend to lower states of existence.
The Sanskrit terminology provides deeper insight into this movement. "Ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti" indicates an upward trajectory for those established in goodness. These souls ascend to higher planetary systems after death, where greater happiness, purity, and spiritual opportunity await them. Their cultivation of qualities like clarity, knowledge, and discipline creates the momentum for this elevation. The higher realms offer environments more conducive to spiritual development, with less suffering and more refinement.
For those dominated by rajas, Krishna states "madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ" – they remain in the middle. This refers to souls who are caught in the endless cycle of action and reaction on the earthly plane. The passionate nature is characterized by intense desires, ambitions, and attachments to results. While there is movement and energy in rajas, it tends to be circular rather than progressive – keeping souls bound to the human realm where they continue pursuing material achievements without true spiritual advancement.
The most concerning destination is reserved for those dominated by tamas (ignorance). Krishna describes them as "jaghanya-guṇa-vṛtti-sthā" – those situated in abominable qualities. For such souls, the direction is "adho gacchanti" – downward movement. This indicates rebirth in lower species or even hellish realms where consciousness becomes even more restricted. The qualities of laziness, delusion, and destructive behaviors create a gravitational pull toward these lower states of being.
This verse reveals that our dominant mode of nature doesn't just influence our present experience but determines our future trajectory in the cosmic hierarchy. It's not merely about horizontal movement (better or worse circumstances) but vertical movement through the universe's different planes of existence. Our consciousness, shaped by our choices and associations, creates momentum that carries us toward corresponding destinations after death.
There is an implicit warning here about the risk of descending consciousness, particularly for those habitually in tamas. The precious human birth, which offers the opportunity for spiritual advancement, can be lost if one consistently cultivates ignorance. Conversely, there's encouragement that by cultivating sattva, one creates the conditions for elevation to more refined states of being.
Yet Krishna's ultimate teaching goes beyond even the upward movement of sattva. Throughout the Gita, he emphasizes that the highest goal is to transcend all three modes entirely through devotional service. While sattva is certainly preferable to rajas and tamas, true liberation comes from rising above all material modes to establish oneself in pure spiritual consciousness. Only then can one break free from the cycle of birth and death altogether and attain the supreme destination.
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