Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Liberation through RenunciationKrishna
Verse 24
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 18, श्लोक 24
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः।
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम्॥
Transliteration
Yat-tu kamepsuna karma sa-ahankareena va punah
Kriyate bahula-ayasam tad-rajasam-udahritam
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यत् तुyat tubut that which
कामेप्सुनाkamepsunaby one desiring results
कर्मkarmaaction
साहङ्कारेणsa-ahankareenawith ego
क्रियतेkriyateis performed
बहुलायासम्bahula-ayasamwith great effort/strain
तत्tatthat
राजसम्rajasamrajasic
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जो कर्म फल की कामना से, अहंकार से, अथवा बहुत परिश्रम से किया जाता है — वह राजसिक कहा गया है।
English Translation
But that action which is performed with great effort by one who desires results, driven by ego — that is declared to be rajasic.
Commentary (टीका)
Rajasic action is characterized by self-centered motivation, ego-driven execution, and excessive straining. The desire for personal reward corrupts the action, while the ego takes credit for results. The excessive effort indicates struggling against natural flow rather than acting in harmony with dharma.