Bhagavad Gita BG 18.24

Chapter 18, Verse 24 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation

यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः । क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥

yat tu kamepsuna karma sahankareña va punah kriyate bahulayasam tad rajasam udahrtam

Meaning

But action that is done with much effort (bahulayasam), by one who is seeking desire-satisfaction (kamepsuna) or motivated by ego (sahankareña) — that is declared rajasic.

Understanding

Rajasic karma is driven by two possible inner engines: kama (desire) or ahankara (ego). Kamepsuna (by one who desires/seeks kama — personal gratification, the satisfaction of wants). Sahankareña (with ego, with the sense of 'I am the doer and I want the result' — sa-ahankara). Bahulayasam (with much effort, with great exertion): the rajasic action strains and labors. There is a subtle irony here: the rajasic person works harder, precisely because they want the result so badly. The effort is amplified by desire. Contrast with sattvic action: sattvic action has no need to over-exert because it has no stake in the outcome — it simply does what is required. The rajasic action's 'much effort' signals that the person is pushing beyond what the situation requires, driven by their craving.

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