Yayaa tu dharma-kaama-arthaan dhrityaa dhaarayate arjuna | Prasangena phala-aakaankshee dhritih saa paartha raajasee ||34||
Translation
But O Arjuna, that determination by which one holds fast to dharma, sense enjoyment, and wealth, motivated by attachment and desire for results — that determination is in the mode of passion.
Word-by-Word Meaning
यया
by which
तु
but
धर्म
religiosity
काम
sense gratification
अर्थान्
and economic development
धृत्या
by determination
धारयते
holds/sustains
अर्जुन
O Arjuna
प्रसङ्गेन
due to attachment
फल-आकाङ्क्षी
desiring results
धृतिः
determination
सा
that
पार्थ
O Partha
राजसी
in the mode of passion
Commentary
Commentary
Rajasic determination is strong willpower directed toward personal gain. The person with rajasic dhriti is determined — sometimes fiercely so — but their determination is fuelled by attachment to results rather than by alignment with higher truth.
The three objects of rajasic determination are dharma, kaama, and artha — religiosity, sense enjoyment, and economic development. These are not inherently wrong, but when pursued with prasangena (attachment) and phala-aakaankshee (desire for results), they become rajasic.
A person might be very disciplined in their religious practices, very focused on building wealth, and very strategic in pursuing pleasure — but if all this is done for personal benefit, with constant calculation of what they will gain, it remains rajasic. The difference between sattvic and rajasic determination is not in the intensity of the effort but in its motivation.
Those whose sole desire is sense gratification cling to dharma, artha, and kaama with great attachment. Whenever they perform religious or financial activities, their only interest is the result — what they personally will enjoy. Such determination, driven by the desire for the fruits, is rajasic.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Bhagavad Gita 18.34 mean?
- But O Arjuna, that determination by which one holds fast to dharma, sense enjoyment, and wealth, motivated by attachment and desire for results — that determination is in the mode of passion.
- What is the Sanskrit text of Bhagavad Gita 18.34?
- The original Sanskrit verse is: Yayaa tu dharma-kaama-arthaan dhrityaa dhaarayate arjuna | Prasangena phala-aakaankshee dhritih saa paartha raajasee ||34||
- What are the key themes of this verse?
- This verse explores: determination, three modes, passion, rajas, attachment, desire.