Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.34
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन । प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥३४॥
yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayate'rjuna | prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||34||
Complete Shloka Translation
The fortitude by which one clings to dharma, desire and wealth, attached and seeking their fruits, is rajasic, Arjuna.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अर्थ | artha | wealth or material aims |
| कामः | kāmaḥ | desire |
| यया | yayā | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| तु | tu | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या | dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| धारयतेऽर्जुन | dhārayate'rjuna | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| प्रसङ्गेन | prasaṅgena | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| फलाकाङ्क्षी | phalākāṅkṣī | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| धृतिः | dhṛtiḥ | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| सा | sā | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| पार्थ | pārtha | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| राजसी | rājasī | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
| ३४ | rājasī | [term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli... |
wealth or material aims
desire
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
[term] in context of The fortitude by which one cli...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Dharma, kama and artha are not rejected in themselves. The criticism is of persistence governed by possessiveness and reward-seeking.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Is your persistence serving a value or clinging to a reward?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Is your persistence serving a value or clinging to a reward?
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.