203. Facets of Gunas

Krishna says, “Those who die with a predominance of satva guna attain to the taintless worlds of the knowers of the Supreme (14.14). One who meets death in rajas is then born amongst those attached to action. Dying in tamas guna, one is born in the wombs of the deluded” (14.15).

Krishna earlier explained about life-death-life where He said that one would reach Him when one remembers Him at the time of death but cautioned that what one practices during one’s lifetime determines what happens at their death (8.5 and 8.6).

This indicates that the transition from life to death to life is a smooth one without any last-minute surprises. If someone has a satva guna dominant life, then the transition would be through satva only. The same is the case with rajas and tamas gunas. A point to be noted is that guna-atheeth who transcend gunas don’t have rebirth.

Krishna describes various karma-phal (fruits of action) these three gunas bestow and says, “The fruit of satvik is harmony and purity. The fruit of rajas is sorrow. The fruit of tamasik actions is ignorance (14.16). Knowledge arises from satva; greed from rajas; delusion and ignorance from tamas (14.17). Those established in satva move upwards; established in rajas dwell in the middle; those in tamas go downwards” (14.18). An example of reading a book will help us understand karma-phal in the context of gunas. When we are dominated by satva guna, we read a book to attain knowledge and understanding. While in rajo guna, we read it to get marks leading to tension. In tamo guna we will fall asleep while reading a book.

A point to be noted is that each guna binds the atma to the physical body in its own way. The aforementioned verses give glimpses of various aspects of our lives based on the dominant guna in us at a given point of time during our lifetimes.