Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.24 यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः
श्लोक 18.24
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः ।
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥
yattu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṃkāreṇa vā punaḥ |
kriyate bahulāyāsaṃ tadrājasamudāhṛtam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
परंतु जो कर्म कामनाओं की पूर्ति चाहने वाले या अहंकार से भरे व्यक्ति द्वारा बहुत परिश्रम के साथ किया जाता है, वह राजसी कहा गया है।
Meaning in English
But action done with great strain by one who longs for desires, or who is full of ego, is declared to be rajasic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.24 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यत् | yat | which |
| तु | tu | but |
| कामेप्सुना | kāmepsunā | by one seeking desires |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| साहंकारेण | sāhaṃkāreṇa | with ego |
| वा | vā | or |
| पुनः | punaḥ | again |
| क्रियते | kriyate | is done |
| बहुलायासम् | bahula-āyāsam | with great strain |
| तत् | tat | that |
| राजसम् | rājasam | rajasic |
| उदाहृतम् | udāhṛtam | is called |
Explanation
Action done by one who longs for desired results, or with a strong sense of ego, and carried out with great strain, is called rajasic. It is busy and effortful, but the effort is driven by craving and self-importance, which makes it exhausting.
Shankara notes that sāhaṃkāreṇa can mean done with pride, thinking oneself superior to others. Ramanuja highlights the heavy toil as a sign that the doer imagines he alone carries the burden. Modern readers often see here a portrait of burnout: hard work fuelled by ambition and ego rather than clarity. The contrast with 18.23 is not about how much one works, but why.
भावार्थ
जो कर्म फल की कामना से या अहंकारपूर्वक और बहुत परिश्रम के साथ किया जाता है, वह राजस कहा गया है।
Living it today
If your work leaves you drained and irritable, check the motive. Ambition and ego make every task heavier than it needs to be.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.24?
Action done by one who longs for desired results, or with a strong sense of ego, and carried out with great strain, is called rajasic. It is busy and effortful, but the effort is driven by craving and self-importance, which makes it exhausting.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.24?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.24 in daily life?
If your work leaves you drained and irritable, check the motive. Ambition and ego make every task heavier than it needs to be.
Reflected on verse 18.24?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.