There are three modes of material nature (guna) on the destinations of living beings after death. Krishna categorizes beings based on their predominant qualities: goodness (sattva), passion (rajas), and ignorance (tamas), and explains how each mode determines their posthumous destination.

Krishna clarifies that individuals predominantly influenced by the mode of goodness (sattva) ascend to higher celestial realms (ūrdhvaṁ), where they experience a more elevated and spiritually conducive environment. These higher planets offer opportunities for continued spiritual growth and enlightenment, fostering virtues such as wisdom, compassion, and selflessness.

On the other hand, those primarily governed by the mode of passion (rajas) remain on earthly planes (madhye), where they engage in worldly pursuits and experiences. These individuals are driven by desires, ambitions, and materialistic endeavours, which often lead to a cyclical existence marked by pleasure and pain, success and failure.

Krishna further explains that individuals predominantly influenced by the mode of ignorance (tamas) descend to lower realms (adho), characterized by darkness, delusion, and suffering. These lower planets represent states of spiritual degradation and ignorance, where beings are enveloped by primal instincts, lethargy, and indulgence in base desires.

The verse emphasizes the profound influence of one's inherent qualities on their spiritual evolution and ultimate destination. It underscores the importance of cultivating virtues such as purity, knowledge, and selflessness, which elevate consciousness and facilitate spiritual progress.

Krishna's teachings serve as a guiding light for seekers on the path of self-realization, reminding them of the significance of transcending the lower modes of material nature and ascending to higher states of consciousness. By understanding the dynamics of the gunas and their impact on one's destiny, individuals can strive to align their actions and intentions with the mode of goodness, thereby attaining liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

In essence, this verse elucidates the cosmic order governed by the three modes of material nature and their influence on the destinies of living beings. It inspires seekers to transcend the lower modes of ignorance and passion, and aspire for the sublime state of goodness, leading to spiritual upliftment and eternal happiness.