Bhagavad Gita · 18.34

Chapter 18, Verse 34

Moksha Sanyaas Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.

Original Sanskrit verse

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी।।18.34।।

Transliteration

yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛityā dhārayate ‘rjuna prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣhī dhṛitiḥ sā pārtha rājasī

Word meanings

yayā—by which; tu—but; dharma-kāma-arthān—duty, pleasures, and wealth; dhṛityā—through steadfast will; dhārayate—holds; arjuna—Arjun; prasaṅgena—due of attachment; phala-ākāṅkṣhī—desire for rewards; dhṛitiḥ—determination; sā—that; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; rājasī—in the mode of passion

English translation

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).

— Swami Sivananda

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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.

Commentary by Swami Sivananda

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