Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.7
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् । तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम् ॥७॥
rajo rāgātmakaṃ viddhi tṛṣṇāsaṅgasamudbhavam | tannibadhnāti kaunteya karmasaṅgena dehinam ||7||
Complete Shloka Translation
Know rajas to be passionate in nature, arising from craving and attachment. Kaunteya, it binds the embodied self through attachment to action.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तृष्णा | tṛṣṇā | craving |
| कर्मसङ्ग | karmasaṅga | attachment to action |
| रजो | rajo | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| रागात्मकं | rāgātmakaṃ | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| विद्धि | viddhi | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् | tṛṣṇāsaṅgasamudbhavam | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| तन्निबध्नाति | tannibadhnāti | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| कर्मसङ्गेन | karmasaṅgena | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
| देहिनम् | dehinam | [term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in... |
craving
attachment to action
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
[term] in context of Know rajas to be passionate in...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The binding feature is attachment to action, not action simply occurring. Read this with the Gita’s broader teaching on responsible, dedicated action.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Ask whether activity serves a purpose or feeds restless craving."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What motive is driving your current activity?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.