Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 34

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन ।
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥

Transliteration

yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayate.arjuna .
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ॥

Meaning

But the fortitude by which one holds fast to duty, pleasure and wealth, with intense attachment and desire for their fruits, that fortitude, O Partha, is rajasic.

Word meanings

यया – by which
तु – but
धर्मकामार्थान् – duty, pleasure and wealth
धृत्या – by fortitude
धारयते – holds fast
अर्जुन – O Arjuna
प्रसङ्गेन – with intense attachment
फलाकाङ्क्षी – desiring the fruits
धृतिः – fortitude
सा – that
पार्थ – O Partha
राजसी – rajasic

Anvaya (word order)

अर्जुन, यया धृत्या तु प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धर्मकामार्थान् धारयते, पार्थ, सा धृतिः राजसी ।

Explanation

Rajasic fortitude is also steadiness — at times very powerful steadiness. But its aim and its spirit are different. Sattvic fortitude holds the mind, breath and senses towards the Supreme, whereas rajasic fortitude holds onto dharma, kama and artha — three of the four aims of life — but not the fourth, moksha, liberation.

Notice that dharma itself is included. The rajasic person does follow dharma, but as phalakankshi, desiring fruit — heaven, merit or reputation. For him even dharma is an investment from which he expects a return. His steadiness towards artha (wealth) and kama (pleasure) is even more obvious. He may labour hard for years and make great sacrifices — but all so that in the end he obtains the desired result.

Prasangena, 'with intense attachment', reveals the root of rajasic fortitude. He clings deeply to whatever he is steadfast about. So when the fruit does not come, his fortitude turns into frustration, anger or despair. Shankara says such a person, whenever an occasion arises, becomes firmly engaged in it out of hope for its fruit.

Most ambitious people in the world are driven by this kind of fortitude. It is not bad — it is the source of many achievements. But the Gita calls us one step higher, to the sattvic fortitude that leads towards liberation.

Context

The previous verse described sattvic fortitude. This verse describes rajasic fortitude. The next verse (18.35) describes tamasic fortitude.

Life lesson

It is natural to work steadily for wealth, comfort and status, but do not make them the final goal of life. Do not treat even dharma as a bargain. When the aim of your steadiness is lofty, even failure cannot break you.

Key terms

Rajasi dhriti: Fortitude that clings to duty, wealth and pleasure for their fruits
Dharma-artha-kama: Three aims of life — duty, wealth and pleasure
Prasanga: Intense attachment
Phalakankshi: One who desires results