Shloka 15
Adhyāya 41 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Gurv-anumati and Strategic Counsel (युधिष्ठिरस्य गुर्वनुमतिः)
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसज्;िषु जायते । तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते
rajasi pralayaṃ gatvā karmasaṅgiṣu jāyate | tathā pralīnas tamasi mūḍhayoniṣu jāyate ||
若人在罗阇斯（躁动与欲求）支配之时命终，便复生于执著于业与果报之人中；若在怛摩斯（昏暗与惰性）笼罩下死去，则堕生于迷妄的下劣胎藏，如虫类、兽类等。此颂以心之主导品质为因，示轮回为其伦理之果。
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.