Chapter 18, Verse 34
Part of 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — मोक्षसंन्यासयोगयया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी॥
Transliteration
yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛityā dhārayate ‘rjuna prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣhī dhṛitiḥ sā pārtha rājasī
Meaning
But that, O Arjuna, by which one holds fast to Dharma (duty), enjoyment of pleasures, and earning of wealth, on account of attachment and desire for reward—that firmness, O Arjuna, is Rajasic (passionate).
Word-by-word meaning
yayā — by whichtu — butdharma-kāma-arthān — duty, pleasures, and wealthdhṛityā — through steadfast willdhārayate — holdsarjuna — Arjunprasaṅgena — due of attachmentphala-ākāṅkṣhī — desire for rewardsdhṛitiḥ — determinationsā — thatpārtha — Arjun, the son of Pritharājasī — in the mode of passion
Commentary
The man of Rajasic firmness imagines that he will achieve the threefold aim of life and clings to it passionately. He is desirous of getting the rewards of his actions. He endeavours to attain Dharma, wealth and pleasure. The firmness of such a person is Rajasic or passionate. Now listen? O Arjuna, to the third kind of firmness -- the Tamasic type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 34?▼
But that, O Arjuna, by which one holds fast to Dharma (duty), enjoyment of pleasures, and earning of wealth, on account of attachment and desire for reward—that firmness, O Arjuna, is Rajasic (passionate).
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 34 of Chapter 18 (Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.