Shloka 15
Adhyāya 41 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Gurv-anumati and Strategic Counsel (युधिष्ठिरस्य गुर्वनुमतिः)
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसज्;िषु जायते । तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते,रजोगुणके बढ़नेपर मृत्युको प्राप्त होकर कर्मोकी आसक्तिवाले मनुष्योंमें उत्पन्न होता है तथा तमोगुणके बढ़नेपर मरा हुआओं मनुष्य कीट, पशु आदि मूढ़योनियोंमें उत्पन्न होता है
rajasi pralayaṃ gatvā karmasaṅgiṣu jāyate | tathā pralīnas tamasi mūḍhayoniṣu jāyate ||
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते । तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते ॥
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The dominant guṇa at the time of death shapes the next birth: rajas leads to rebirth among action- and desire-driven humans, while tamas leads to rebirth in deluded, lower forms of life. Ethically, it urges cultivation away from ignorance and compulsive craving.
In the Bhīṣma Parva’s doctrinal instruction to Arjuna, the teaching explains how inner qualities (guṇas) govern post-mortem destiny, linking psychological disposition with karmic consequence and future embodiment.