Chapter 14, Verse 15
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
rajasi—in the mode of passion; pralayam—death; gatvā—attaining; karma-saṅgiṣhu—among people driven by work; jāyate—are born; tathā—likewise; pralīnaḥ—dying; tamasi—in the mode of ignorance; mūḍha-yoniṣhu—in the animal kingdom; jāyate—takes birth
English translation
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.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 14.15
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.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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