The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas

Krishna explains the results of dying in rajas and tamas: 'Rajasi pralayaṁ gatvā karma-saṅgiṣu jāyate'—when one dies (pralayaṁ gatvā) in rajas, one is born (jāyate) among those attached to action (karma-saṅgiṣu). 'Tathā pralīnas tamasi mūḍha-yoniṣu jāyate'—similarly, when one dies in tamas, one is born among the deluded species (mūḍha-yoniṣu). This reveals the cycle: dying in rajas leads to rebirth among those who are attached to action—the human realm of constant activity. Dying in tamas leads to rebirth among deluded species—lower forms of life. Understanding this helps you see the consequences of being dominated by each guna. The goal is not just to die in sattva, but to transcend all three gunas completely and break free from the cycle of birth and death.