Bhagavad Gita 18.27

Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · English Translation

Passionate, desiring to obtain the reward of actions, greedy, cruel, impure, moved by joy and sorrow, such an agent is said to be Rajasic (passionate).

Sanskrit

रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचिः | हर्षशोकान्वितः कर्ता राजसः परिकीर्तितः ||१८-२७||

Transliteration

rāgī karmaphalaprepsurlubdho hiṃsātmako.aśuciḥ . harṣaśokānvitaḥ kartā rājasaḥ parikīrtitaḥ ||18-27||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna describes a person driven by passion and ego who acts only to get rewards or praise for their work. This individual is often greedy, harsh in speech and action, emotionally unstable when things go well or poorly, and lacks inner purity. Such a person is labeled 'Rajasic' because they are bound by the mode of passion, which creates constant restlessness and suffering rather than true peace.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse belongs to the teaching on 'Triguna' (the three modes of material nature), specifically detailing the characteristics of Rajas, which is characterized by intense activity driven by desire. It complements the broader framework of Karma Yoga by illustrating how attachment to results and emotional volatility bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death.

Word by Word

रागी passionate, कर्मफलप्रेप्सुः desirous of the fruit of action, लुब्धः greedy, हिंसात्मकः cruel, अशुचिः impure, हर्षशोकान्वितः moved by joy and sorrow, कर्ता agent, राजसः Rajasic (passionate), परिकीर्तितः is called

Classical Commentary

A passionate agent is the abode of sins and of greed of the whole world. Wherever he imagines that he may gain worldly fruit he will strive wholeheartedly to obtain it. Whatsoever he gains he keeps strictly to himself and his family. If he attains the fruits of his actions he rejoices. If he fails in his attempt he is overcome by grief. Lubdhah Greedy Thirsting for others property not sharing ones own wealth with deserving persons. Himsatmakah Doing injury to others. Asuchih Impure Having no external and internal purity. (Internal purity is freedom from lust?,anger, greed and pride the heart is filled with compassion, complacency, forgiveness, dispassion, love, etc.)Harshasokanvitah Joy on the attainment of what is desirable, pleasant or agreeable sorrow on the attainment of what is not desirable, pleasant or agreeable, and on having to part with what is desirable. He will be elated with joy when he attains success he will be overcoming by grief when he fails in his undertaking.

Where This Happens

This teaching occurs on the battlefield of Kurukshetra during the Mahabharata war as Lord Krishna concludes his discourse with Arjuna in Chapter 18, titled 'Moksha Sanyasa Yoga'. Having just described the three types of knowledge, action, and intellect based on the modes of nature (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), Krishna now categorizes different kinds of actors to help Arjuna understand his own motivations. At this moment, Arjuna is listening with a focused mind after witnessing the terrifying visions of Krishna's universal form and resolving to fight; he seeks clarity on how to act without being trapped by these human weaknesses.

Living It Out Today

Consider an employee who stays late every night not because they care about the project, but solely to impress their boss for a promotion or bonus. When this person receives praise, they feel elated and arrogant, but if criticized or passed over for a raise, they become bitter, aggressive toward colleagues, and lose sleep with anxiety. This verse invites us to examine our own drive: are we working out of duty and service (Sattva) or just chasing the next reward while fearing failure?

Explained for Children

Imagine someone who only plays their favorite video game if there is a prize at the end; if they don't get it quickly, they throw a tantrum or yell at everyone. This verse describes that kind of person: someone who does things just to win awards, gets very mean when frustrated, and swings from being super happy to crying over small problems. Krishna teaches us that doing good for love's sake is better than doing good only to get a trophy.

Daily Reflection

Today, I invite you to gently examine the motivation behind your daily tasks: Are they fueled by greed and the fear of missing out on rewards? When we act from a place of passion alone, our minds become turbulent, swinging between elation and despair based on external outcomes. True freedom begins when we can perform necessary actions without letting these emotional extremes dictate our inner peace.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and observe where your actions are driven by the desire for a specific reward rather than duty itself. Notice how attachment to joy or sorrow colors every step you take, binding you to the cycle of reaction.

Key Teachings

The Trap of Transactional Duty
This verse warns against performing actions solely as a transaction to secure a specific return, which binds the soul through greed. When work becomes a means to an end rather than a duty in itself, it fuels the restless nature of Rajas.
The Turbulence of Dualities
A passionate mind is constantly agitated by the swings of joy and sorrow, unable to find stability. This emotional volatility arises because our sense of self-worth becomes dependent on external successes or failures.
Purity as a Prerequisite for Peace
True action requires inner cleanliness, free from cruelty and selfish desire. Without cultivating purity of heart, even well-intentioned actions can become sources of suffering for oneself and others.

Themes

The Modes of Nature (Gunas)Attachment to ResultsEmotional StabilityKarma Yoga PrinciplesSelf-Analysis and IntrospectionPurity of Heart

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 6.5 18.66

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main characteristic of a Rajasic person according to this verse?

The primary trait described in Verse 18.27 is being 'Rajasi' or passionate, which manifests as acting with intense desire for rewards and results rather than out of duty alone. These individuals are often driven by greed, cruelty towards others when frustrated, and emotional instability, swinging between extreme joy and deep sorrow based on external outcomes.

How does this verse relate to the concept of Karma Yoga?

This verse serves as a warning against the opposite of true Karma Yoga. While Karma Yoga teaches performing actions without attachment to results (as seen in 2.47), Verse 18.27 describes someone who is exactly attached, making them bound by their passions and unable to achieve liberation through their work.

What does 'himsatmako' mean in the context of this shloka?

'Himsatmako' translates to one who is cruel or violent at heart. In a Rajasic state, when desires are not met or obstacles arise, the individual's internal agitation often manifests as harsh words, aggressive behavior, or actions that harm others without considering their well-being.

How can someone move from being Rajasic to Sattvic?

Moving towards a Sattvic state involves practicing detachment from the fruits of action and cultivating purity in thought and speech. By shifting focus from 'what I get' to 'the duty itself,' and by managing emotions through self-discipline, one can reduce greed and cruelty while finding stability beyond joy or sorrow.

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