Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 14.12 लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा
श्लोक 14.12
लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा ।
रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ ॥
lobhaḥ pravṛttirārambhaḥ karmaṇāmaśamaḥ spṛhā |
rajasyetāni jāyante vivṛddhe bharatarṣabha ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे भरतश्रेष्ठ (भरतवंशियों में श्रेष्ठ), जब रजोगुण बढ़ता है तब लोभ, भाग-दौड़, नए-नए कार्यों का आरंभ, मन की अशांति और लालसा उत्पन्न होती है।
Meaning in English
Greed, busy activity, the launching of undertakings, restlessness and longing — these arise when rajas increases, O best of the Bharatas.
Bhagavad Gita 14.12 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| लोभः | lobhaḥ | greed |
| प्रवृत्तिः | pravṛttiḥ | activity, outward drive |
| आरम्भः | ārambhaḥ | undertaking |
| कर्मणाम् | karmaṇām | of actions |
| अशमः | aśamaḥ | restlessness |
| स्पृहा | spṛhā | longing |
| रजसि | rajasi | when rajas |
| एतानि | etāni | these |
| जायन्ते | jāyante | arise |
| विवृद्धे | vivṛddhe | has increased |
| भरतर्षभ | bharatarṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |
Explanation
Greed, outward activity, the undertaking of actions, restlessness and longing arise when rajas increases, O best of the Bharatas. These are the signs that rajas has the upper hand: wanting more, starting new things and never feeling settled or at peace.
These are the signs of rajas: wanting more, starting new projects, never resting, always craving. Commentators note that activity itself is not the problem, since the Gita praises action, but activity driven by greed and restlessness is. Shankara explains asama as lack of inner calm. The list is a useful mirror for modern life, where busyness is often mistaken for progress.
भावार्थ
हे भरतश्रेष्ठ! रजोगुण के बढ़ने पर लोभ, प्रवृत्ति, कर्मों का आरम्भ, अशान्ति और लालसा — ये उत्पन्न होते हैं। बेचैनी और लालच रजोगुण के चिह्न हैं। ऐसे समय मन कभी शान्त नहीं रहता।
Living it today
If you keep starting projects without finishing them, pause. Restless beginnings are a sign of rajas, not of progress.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 14.12?
Greed, outward activity, the undertaking of actions, restlessness and longing arise when rajas increases, O best of the Bharatas. These are the signs that rajas has the upper hand: wanting more, starting new things and never feeling settled or at peace.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.12?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 14 (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 14.12 in daily life?
If you keep starting projects without finishing them, pause. Restless beginnings are a sign of rajas, not of progress.
Reflected on verse 14.12?
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