Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.24
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः । क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥२४॥
yattu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṅkāreṇa vā punaḥ | kriyate bahulāyāsaṃ tadrājasamudāhṛtam ||24||
Complete Shloka Translation
Action done by one seeking desire's fulfillment or acting with ego, and involving great strain, is called rajasic.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कामः | kāmaḥ | desire |
| अहङ्कार | ahaṅkāra | ego |
| यत्तु | yattu | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| कामेप्सुना | kāmepsunā | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| कर्म | karma | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| साहङ्कारेण | sāhaṅkāreṇa | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| वा | vā | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| पुनः | punaḥ | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| क्रियते | kriyate | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| बहुलायासं | bahulāyāsaṃ | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् | tadrājasamudāhṛtam | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
| २४ | tadrājasamudāhṛtam | [term] in context of Action done by one seeking des... |
desire
ego
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
[term] in context of Action done by one seeking des...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Strenuous effort alone is not condemned. Desire and ego dominate the pattern described, distinguishing it from dedicated duty.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Is your effort guided by purpose or a need to prove yourself?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Is your effort guided by purpose or a need to prove yourself?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.