Chapter 9 Verse 12
Rāja Vidyā Yog
मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः। राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः।।9.12।।
moghāśhā mogha-karmāṇo mogha-jñānā vichetasaḥ rākṣhasīm āsurīṁ chaiva prakṛitiṁ mohinīṁ śhritāḥ
Word Meanings
| mogha-āśhāḥ | of vain hopes |
| mogha-karmāṇaḥ | of vain actions |
| mogha-jñānāḥ | of baffled knowledge |
| vichetasaḥ | deluded |
| rākṣhasīm | demoniac |
| āsurīm | atheistic |
| cha | and |
| eva | certainly |
| prakṛitim | material energy |
| mohinīm | bewildered |
| śhritāḥ | take shelter |
Translation
They are possessed of the deceitful nature of demons and undivine beings, filled with vain hopes, vain actions, and vain knowledge that is senseless.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse describes people whose minds are trapped by the false pull of material life. They cling to empty hopes, perform actions that lead nowhere, and hold a kind of knowledge that does not bring real wisdom.
Their thinking and behavior are driven by short-term gain, pride, or sense pleasure, not by inner truth or lasting meaning. Such patterns are called “demoniac” here because they blind a person to deeper reality and cause harm to themselves and others.
When we shelter in that misleading nature, we lose touch with the spiritual self and keep repeating the same mistakes. The verse warns that vain hopes and busy actions without true understanding lead to confusion and suffering.
Life Application
- Pause before important choices: ask whether the goal is lasting well-being or a short-lived reward.
- Use knowledge to grow humility and insight, not to justify selfish gain or manipulate others.
- Practice simple daily habits (quiet reflection, selfless acts, honest speech) to weaken fleeting desires and strengthen steady wisdom.
Reflection Question
Are my current goals based on lasting meaning or on short-term pleasure and approval?