WHAT HAPPENS LIFE AFTER DEATH

 After thus indicating how the mind and intellect would react under the three distinct influences of Sattva,Rajas and Tamas Gunas, resulting into the faith, the Bhagwat Geeta says that not only these Gunas are effective while we live in the present embodiment (body),but the tendencies of the mind, cultivated and developed, persuaded and strengthened while living ,will determine the life and condition of the individual even after death.

Whatever life obtained after death, it is caused by the quality and quantity of desires and attachments and the nature and number of desires and attachments are determined by the 'Gunas'. Science has made a great progress in spirituality also due to the quantum-physics and Nano-science.Recently , Scientists have got a definite clue that there is a link between past, present and future for a certain time due to Nano -particles quantum effect ,which supports the theory of re-birth mentioned in the Vedas of Hinduism.Although, in Christianity and Islamic religion,the re-birth concept is not there.The spirit of a Sattvic and Tamsic person will be different and hence,would be different in the Nano-particle quantum phenomenon and such spirit which covers the soul(Atama) takes or occupies the suitable womb(re-birth)in the living beings.

In the scheme of thought -development,Bhagwat- Geeta gives us an idea as to the direction in which the mental equipment (spirit) of  dead one will move after death,This can be,to a large extent, scientifically determined by a close and intelligent observation of his mental behavior even during life.A doctor cannot ,all of a sudden,one fine morning ,start thinking of solving a subtle architectural problem nor can an engineer overnight feel inspired to write out a prescription for cancer.The doctor has trained his mind for thinking on medicines and desease and an engineer has trained himself to solve the problems of constructive destruction.At any given moment ,the mind of a doctor will be thinking of medicine alone,in conformity with his education and  the type of thoughts his  mind is trained to entertain.Thus ,there is continuity of thought -life in this embodiment(body); this year's thoughts have continuity with our last year's thoughts;this month's thoughts are determined by the last month's thoughts,this week's thoughts are an extension of last week's thoughts:  today's thoughts are continued tomorrow.And every moment is an extension of the previous moment's thought.If,thus, there is a continuous development and growth observable in the thought-life,in its unbroken continuity connecting the past,the present and the future into unbroken flow,then, there is no reason why,at the time of  death,this continuity should be suddenly broken (end).

Death is only another experience,it will certainly color the thoughts that follow it-but then all experiences have been coloring  all our past thoughts,and our future thoughts are being colored by our present experiences.Therefore,the type of thoughts entertained during our lifetime should determine the type of thoughts we will entertain soon after our departure from this physical structure.

The fate of an individual after death depends upon the  relative status of three Gunas .This  supports the theories of Karma and transmigration of soul(Atama).Some of the underlying concepts of these theories are-

1)   Life is a continuous process and does not end with death.

2)At the time of death ,the soul(Atama) along with the spirit ,migrates from body(that dies) to another body(that is born).

3)The form and  fate  of the  new body are determined by the cumulative  effect of actions (Karmas) performed in past lives.

4)Nobody escapes the birth and death except those who,through their meritorious deeds (Karmas) such as sacrifice ,charity, and austerity and knowledge of Brahman(almighty),have achieved Moksha (release).

Those ,who die  during the predominance of  SATTVA GUNA go to the pure world(BRAHMALOKA OR HEAVEN) which is inhabited by those  who know the highest principles of life(God),when a person dies during the ascendancy of RAJSIC GUNAS,he is born amongst those people who are attached to activities.In other words,he is caught in the painful net of life and death cycle and is reborn in this world.Similarly,death during the predominance of TAMSIC GUNAS leads to the world of ignorant species(birds, reptiles,trees etc).This shows that human beings are masters of their own fate and will reap the consequences of their Karmas(actions).It would be wrong to delude oneself that the passage in this evolutionary process is unidirectional and one can go only from lower to higher worlds in the order: reptiles-trees-animals-birds-Humans-Gods.Karma theory says that life after death is determined by our own actions which in turn are controlled by the interplay of three qualities (GUNAS) born of prakriti (MATERIALISTIC): 

According to this theory, one can go from higher to lower worlds or vice-versa based  on the ascendancy of one quality (GUNA) or the other.

How do the qualities (Gunas) effect the life?

If good Gunas (impressions) prevail, the character becomes good,if bad,it becomes bad .If  a man continuously hears bad words,thinks bad thought,does bad actions ,his  mind will be full of  bad impressions (GUNAS) and they will influence his thought and work without his being conscious of the fact.In fact,these bad impressions (GUNAS) are always working and their resultant must be evil and that man will be a bad man;he cannot help it.The sum total of these impressions in him will create the strong motive power for doing bad actions.He will be like a machine in hands of his Gunas(impressions),and they will force him to do evil,similarly, if a man thinks good thoughts and does good work,the sum total of these impressions will be good ;and they ,in a similar manner ,will force him to do good even in spite of himself.

As mentioned earlier, Qualities (GUNAS) lead to their corresponding behavioral characteristics in living beings and the diversity of actions(KARMAS) result through the predominance of respective qualities (GUNAS).This means that there is nothing etched in stone which says that beings are permanently assigned to SATTVA,RAJAS or TAMAS modes.The door is always open to improve one's lot by subduing the baser instincts and working towards the achievements of higher spiritual values.Indifference and egotism can result in downfall as well.purity of thought and nobility of actions(KARMAS) lead to SATTVA GUNA which is characterized by comfort, spiritual knowledge and happiness.RAJAS GUNA(Activity) seeks material benefits . Success in their pursuits provides temporary happiness but ultimately results in pain and sorrow.The fruits of unrighteous actions (KARMAS) originating through TAMAS GUNAS are marked by laziness, delusion and general apathy to undertake any activities out of ignorance.

Thus,the three strata of life (lower,middle,and  higher) have been  clearly delineated to which the embodied beings go after the death.The choice is determined by their own actions(KARMAS) namely -quality of life,purity of thoughts and awareness of true knowledge that have in this birth.The important point is not how  they reached the present  state because  this was attained on the basis of their past actions,but what they are going to make of life from now on-they have  no control on what they did in their past life.However ,it is in their power to aspire for higher levels of  developments in this life and the next and strive for it by  leading a virtuous and meaningful life .

In view of what has been said above,it would be clear that there is no room for general beliefs that Dharma teaches fatalism.Fate is determined by what we did and how we did it.There is no going back in time.If we believe in spirituality,no matter to which faith we belong .all agree that our present actions (KARMAS) control the quality of life we shall enjoy.This concept ,in no way,contradicts the role of  effort in improving the quality of present life.The main theme of spirituality is to undertake actions (KARMAS) with a selfless frame of mind.This will not only improve the purpose of existence but will also augment with unalloyed happiness.