Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 24

English Translation

But that action is said to be born of rajas which is done by one desirous of results or by one who is egotistic, and which is highly strenuous.

Detailed Commentary

18.24. Explanation: *Yattu* (That indeed) is the *karma* performed with desire, by a person aspiring for fruits such as material pleasure, comfort, enjoyment, or honor and respect. Due to *ahankara* (ego), when we perform actions before others, the praise of people inflates the ego. And when we perform actions alone, *ahankara* arises based on our own perceived superiority, such as, "Others cannot work as efficiently as I can. The competence, knowledge (*vidya*), or cleverness (*chaturata*) I possess is not present in everyone. Whatever work I do, I do it honestly and quickly." *Karma* performed thus, with *ahankara*, is called *Rajasic*. Or again – *Karma* performed with the hope of future fruits (*phalechha*) or with the thought of one's own superiority (*ahankara*) in the present – in both these states, it mostly becomes *Rajasic* in nature. The implication is that even if only one of *phalechha* or *ahankara* is present, the *karma* becomes *Rajasic*; if both are present, it will certainly be *Rajasic*. *Kriyate bahulaayasam* (Performed with great effort) – Everyone experiences effort while performing *karma*. However, one who is more focused on bodily comfort and pleasure experiences greater effort. A person whose primary desire is for enjoyments (*bhogas*), and not for bodily comfort and pleasure, focuses on fulfilling desires rather than on the body. The implication is that when bodily comfort takes precedence, *phalechha* becomes secondary; and when *phalechha* is present, bodily comfort is disregarded. When performing *karma* before others, one experiences ego-generated pleasure, and since bodily comfort is not primary, the *Rajasic* person does not feel much effort in the *karma*. However, in solitude, due to the absence of ego-generated pleasure and the importance of bodily comfort, they experience greater effort. *Tad Rajasam udaahritam* (That is declared to be Rajasic) – Such *karma*, performed with *ahankara* and great effort by one desiring such fruits, is declared to be *Rajasic*. Connection – Now we describe *Tamasic karma*.