14.12 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 14, Verse 12

In Bhagavad Gita 14.12, Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as "O chief of the descendants of Bharata" (bharatarṣabha) while explaining the symptoms that manifest when the mode of passion (rajas) becomes predominant in a person's life. The Sanskrit verse begins with "lobhaḥ pravṛttir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśamaḥ spṛhā," which identifies five key characteristics that emerge when passion dominates: greed, intense activity, constant endeavor, restlessness, and uncontrollable desire.

When the mode of passion intensifies, the first symptom that appears is lobhaḥ or greed. This isn't just about wanting more possessions but reflects a deeper psychological state where one becomes unable to part with what they have while simultaneously craving for more. This greed becomes the driving force behind a person's actions, creating an insatiable hunger that can never be truly satisfied. The person begins to measure their worth through their possessions and achievements, creating a never-ending cycle of wanting and acquiring.

The second characteristic mentioned is pravṛtti, which refers to profuse activity or constant motion. A person dominated by passion cannot remain still or peaceful. There's a continuous drive to be doing something, anything, to fill the time with activity. This restless energy might appear productive on the surface, but beneath lies a mind that cannot find contentment in stillness. As the verse indicates, this leads to ārambhaḥ – the eager undertaking of numerous ventures and projects. The passion-dominated individual becomes obsessed with initiating new endeavors, often before completing existing ones, constantly seeking the excitement of beginnings rather than the satisfaction of completion.

Perhaps most telling is Krishna's mention of aśamaḥ, which translates as restlessness or dissatisfaction. This reveals the fundamental nature of rajas – even when goals are achieved, there is no peace or satisfaction. One accomplishment merely becomes the stepping stone to chase the next desire, creating a perpetual state of discontent. This is coupled with spṛhā, an intense hankering or longing for sense enjoyment. The mind constantly projects happiness onto future acquisitions or experiences, believing that fulfillment lies just beyond the next achievement.

The verse elegantly captures the paradox of the passionate mode – it drives tremendous energy and activity but fails to deliver lasting satisfaction. A person under its influence might achieve considerable material success, climbing corporate ladders, amassing wealth, or gaining recognition. Yet internally, they remain restless, always feeling that something is missing. This is the binding nature of rajas that Krishna is warning Arjuna about – it creates the illusion of progress while actually keeping one trapped on a hedonic treadmill.

What makes this verse particularly insightful is how it reveals the psychological mechanism behind much of human striving. The mode of passion doesn't just create external activity; it transforms the very way we perceive reality. Under its influence, the mind becomes convinced that happiness lies in acquisition and achievement rather than in being. This understanding helps explain why even objectively successful individuals often experience inner emptiness – they're caught in the web of rajas, where contentment always seems to lie just beyond reach.

Krishna's description serves as both diagnosis and implicit guidance. By recognizing these symptoms within ourselves – the constant desire for more, the inability to sit still, the compulsive planning for the future – we gain awareness of when rajas is dominating our consciousness. This awareness becomes the first step toward potentially shifting toward the more balanced mode of goodness (sattva), where activity is purposeful rather than compulsive, and where contentment becomes possible even amid achievement. The verse thus offers not just a description of a psychological state but a mirror in which to examine our own motivations and behaviors.