Chapter 18 Verse 27
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः।हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः।।18.27।।
rāgī karma-phala-prepsur lubdho hinsātmako ‘śhuchiḥ harṣha-śhokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
Word Meanings
| rāgī | craving |
| karma-phala | fruit of work |
| prepsuḥ | covet |
| lubdhaḥ | greedy |
| hinsā-ātmakaḥ | violent-natured |
| aśhuchiḥ | impure |
| harṣha-śhoka-anvitaḥ | moved by joy and sorrow |
| kartā | performer |
| rājasaḥ | in the mode of passion |
| parikīrtitaḥ | is declared |
Translation
Passionate, desiring to obtain the reward of their actions, greedy, cruel, impure, moved by joy and sorrow, such an agent is said to be Rajasic.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse describes a person ruled by passion (rajas). They act to get rewards, are greedy, sometimes violent, impure in mind, and swing between joy and sorrow. Their choices are driven by attachment to results.
Spiritually, such motivation binds a person to restlessness and repeating cycles of hope and disappointment. Attachment to gains keeps the mind unstable and distant from inner freedom.
The remedy is awareness and gradual change: notice when desire and fear push your actions, and practice choosing steady, honest effort rather than only chasing outcomes. That brings greater calm and clarity.
Life Application
- Pause and ask your motive before acting: am I doing this for praise, money, or to help? Let honesty guide small choices.
- Set simple limits on wants (time, money, habits) and choose non-harmful actions to reduce greed and aggression.
- When emotions rise, breathe and delay impulsive responses so you act from balance rather than from craving or fear.
Reflection Question
Are my actions driven more by craving for reward or by steady care and duty?