प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वती: समा: | शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते || 41 || अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् | एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् || 42 || |
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“Having enjoyed the vast heavenly realms as a result of their virtuous deeds, they are then born in the homes of the righteous and affluent, to continue their spiritual practice.”
“Alternatively, they are born into a family of yogis characterized by spiritual wisdom. Certainly such a birth is extremely rare in this world”
Commentary: The verses highlight two possible outcomes for individuals who have performed virtuous deeds but lacked the steadfastn ess to pursue yoga or the spiritual path.
The first scenario states that after experiencing the eternal and harmonious realms, which refers to higher spiritual planes or states of consciousness, these individuals are reborn in the household of a wealthy and prosperous family. This implies that despite their good deeds, they were not able to maintain their spiritual practice or discipline consistently. As a result, they are granted a comfortable and opulent life in their subsequent birth, enjoying material wealth and abundance. This scenario suggests that their virtuous actions in the past have earned them a favorable birth in a well-to-do family as a form of reward.
The second scenario presents an alternative possibility. It suggests that these individuals may be born in a household characterized by wisdom and spiritual discipline. This type of birth is described as more difficult and rarer to find in this world. Here, the emphasis is on being born into a family that values knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding. Such households foster an environment conducive to spiritual growth and provide ample opportunities for the individual to pursue a path of wisdom and enlightenment.
In both scenarios, the verses emphasize the significance of subsequent birth. Being born into a wealthy and prosperous family or a wise and spiritual family offers favorable circumstances for spiritual development and a chance to continue spiritual journey. This also implies that there is no assurance of progress in the new birth. Therefore, Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of unwavering commitment and steadfastness in pursuing spiritual growth and suggests that the birth into a favorable environment should be utilized as an opportunity for achieving spiritual progress.