(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Good Action Produces Sattvik And Pure Results, Rajas Produces Sorrow, And Tamas Produces Ignorance

कर्मण: सुकृतस्याहु: सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम् |
रजसस्तु फलं दु:खमज्ञानं तमस: फलम् ||14.16||

karmaṇaḥ sukṛitasyāhuḥ sāttvikaṁ nirmalaṁ phalam
rajasas tu phalaṁ duḥkham ajñānaṁ tamasaḥ phalam|| 14.16||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 14- Ver. 16:

It is claimed that the fruit of acts carried out in a proper manner produces pure consequences. Pain results from actions taken in the mode of desire, whereas darkness results from actions taken in the area of ignorance.

Explanation

Sattva-influenced people have a certain amount of purity, virtue, knowledge, and selflessness. As a result, their actions are carried out with a reasonably pure aim, yielding uplifting and fulfilling effects. The desires of the senses and mind disturb those who are influenced by rajas. Self-aggrandizement and sense-gratification for themselves and their dependents are the primary goals of their employment.

As a result, their employment leads to the enjoyment of sexual pleasures, fueling their sensual desires even more. Those who are dominated by tamas have no regard for scriptural injunctions or moral precepts. They conduct sinful acts in order to enjoy perverted pleasures, but this just serves to further engulf them in delusion.

Verse & what we can learn

We can consciously choose our actions to form our mental states. Sattvic or selfless deeds produce a sattvic state, rajasic or selfish actions produce a rajasic state, and tamasic or ignorant actions produce a tamasic state, according to Shri Krishna. If we are largely rajasic by nature, we can better our situation by focusing on sattvic actions. If we are naturally tamasic, we can modify our nature by stressing the accomplishment of rajasic actions.

In every case, even this one, the law of karma applies. We shall achieve brief joy by performing rajasic behaviours, which will eventually lead to sadness. It doesn’t take a lot of raaga dvesha, or loves and dislikes, to drive us to be selfish. And if we engage in tamasic behaviour, we will continue to exist in a state of indifference and ignorance. We can only achieve a mental state of purity and peace by sattvic activities.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the next shloka Shri Krishna talks about three modes and their results.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…