ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः । जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः ॥ १८ ॥
ūrdhvaṁ gachchhanti sattva-sthā madhye tiṣhṭhanti rājasāḥ jaghanya-guṇa-vṛitti-sthā adho gachchhanti tāmasāḥ
Translation
Those established in sattva go upward; the rajasic stay in the middle; the tamasic, sunk in the lowest guna, go downward.
Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अर्थ)
सत्त्वगुण में स्थित लोग ऊपर के लोकों को जाते हैं, रजोगुणी मध्य (मनुष्य लोक) में रहते हैं, और निकृष्ट गुण की वृत्ति में स्थित तमोगुणी नीचे की ओर जाते हैं।
Commentary
Up, middle and down describes both where one is reborn and the direction of one's inner life. Sattva lifts, rajas keeps one circling in place, and tamas pulls down. It is a map, not a verdict: anyone can change direction.
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