Verse 14-7 – Bhagavad Gita

रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् \| तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम् \|\| 7 \|\|

“Understand rajas to be the quality born of desire and attachment, which binds the embodied soul through the attachment to action, O Arjuna.”

Commentary Lord Krishna explains the nature of rajas (passion) and its impact on an individual. Rajas is characterized by restlessness, activity, and the influence of desires and attachments. It arises from the inherent craving and longing for worldly pleasures and material possessions.

Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to recognize that rajas is born out of desires and attachments. When one is driven by uncontrolled desires and attaches oneself to the outcomes of actions, it leads to restlessness, agitation, and a constant pursuit of fulfilling those desires. This attachment to action creates a binding effect on the embodied soul, keeping it entangled in the cycle of birth and death.

By understanding the nature of rajas and its potential pitfalls, one can cultivate self-awareness and detachment from the outcomes of actions. The ultimate goal is to transcend the influence of rajas by channeling desires and actions towards selfless service and spiritual growth. By reducing attachments to the fruits of actions, individuals can attain a state of inner calmness, equanimity, and liberation from the binding effects of rajas.