Shloka 111
Adhyātma–Adhibhūta–Adhidaivata Correspondences and the Triguṇa Lakṣaṇas (Śānti-parva 301)
विपर्यये तस्य हि पार्थ देवान् गच्छन्ति सांख्या: सततं सुखेन । तांश्ानुसंचार्य ततः कृतार्था: पतन्ति विप्रेषु यतेषु भूख:
viparyaye tasya hi pārtha devān gacchanti sāṅkhyāḥ satataṃ sukhena | tānś cānusaṃcārya tataḥ kṛtārthāḥ patanti vipreṣu yateṣu bhūyaḥ |
Bhīṣma dit : Ô Pārtha, même si, dans sa pratique, survient quelque renversement ou quelque insuffisance et que la connaissance pleine et juste du Sāṅkhya ne soit pas atteinte, les adeptes de la discipline sāṅkhya gagnent néanmoins le monde des dieux et y demeurent sans cesse dans la félicité. Ayant circulé parmi ces divinités et obtenu le fruit désiré, lorsque leur mérite s’épuise, ils retombent en ce monde et renaissent parmi des brāhmanes ardents et maîtres d’eux-mêmes, afin de reprendre leur effort vers le but.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if a Sāṅkhya practitioner fails to attain complete, correct realization due to some defect or reversal in practice, the effort is not wasted: it yields heavenly well-being, and after that merit is spent, the person is reborn in a conducive, disciplined environment (among striving Brahmins) to continue the pursuit.
Bhishma instructs Arjuna about the posthumous trajectory of an imperfect but sincere Sāṅkhya practitioner: ascent to the divine realm, enjoyment and fulfillment there, followed by return to human birth in spiritually favorable households to resume disciplined practice.