Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.34 यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन
श्लोक 18.34
यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन ।
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥
yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayate'rjuna |
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे अर्जुन! जिस धृति से मनुष्य आसक्ति के कारण फल की इच्छा रखते हुए धर्म, काम और अर्थ को पकड़े रहता है, हे पार्थ! वह राजसी धृति है।
Meaning in English
The steadiness by which one holds on to duty, pleasure and wealth, O Arjuna, out of attachment and craving for results, O Partha, is rajasic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.34 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यया | yayā | by which |
| तु | tu | but |
| धर्मकामार्थान् | dharma-kāma-arthān | duty, pleasure and wealth |
| धृत्या | dhṛtyā | by resolve |
| धारयते | dhārayate | one holds to |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
| प्रसङ्गेन | prasaṅgena | with attachment |
| फलाकाङ्क्षी | phala-ākāṅkṣī | desiring the fruit |
| धृतिः | dhṛtiḥ | resolve |
| सा | sā | that |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O son of Pritha |
| राजसी | rājasī | rajasic |
Explanation
The resolve by which a person clings to duty, pleasure and wealth with attachment, always wanting the reward, is rajasic. It can be strong and persistent, but its strength comes from desire for results rather than from inner clarity. It keeps going only as long as the reward seems near.
Dharma, kāma and artha are three of the four classic aims of life; the fourth, mokṣa, is conspicuously absent. Shankara notes that the rajasic person pursues even dharma for its rewards. Ramanuja reads it the same way. Many readers point out that this kind of determination is common and often admired, yet it remains bound to outcomes, so it falters when rewards do not come.
भावार्थ
हे पार्थ अर्जुन, जिस धृति से फल की इच्छा रखने वाला मनुष्य आसक्तिपूर्वक धर्म, अर्थ और काम को धारण करता है, वह राजसी धृति है।
Living it today
Ask whether your persistence would survive if no reward came. If not, it may be ambition rather than resolve.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.34?
The resolve by which a person clings to duty, pleasure and wealth with attachment, always wanting the reward, is rajasic. It can be strong and persistent, but its strength comes from desire for results rather than from inner clarity. It keeps going only as long as the reward seems near.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.34?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.34 in daily life?
Ask whether your persistence would survive if no reward came. If not, it may be ambition rather than resolve.
Reflected on verse 18.34?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.