18.24 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 18, Verse 24

Verse 18.24 of the Bhagavad Gita explores the nature of action performed in the mode of passion (rajas). The Sanskrit text "yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṅkāreṇa vā punaḥ, kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛtam" describes action that is driven by desire and ego, requiring great effort and labor.In this verse, Lord Krishna continues His systematic explanation of how the three gunas (modes of material nature) influence our actions. After previously describing sattvic action in verse 18.23, He now turns His attention to rajasic action, which is characterized by several distinct qualities.Rajasic action is primarily motivated by kāma (desire) – specifically, the craving for results and personal gratification. The doer is described as kāma-īpsunā, one who eagerly seeks to fulfill desires through their actions. This creates a fundamental attachment to outcomes, making the action itself a means to an end rather than something performed as a duty or service.Furthermore, such action is performed sāhaṅkāreṇa – with a strong sense of false ego. The doer identifies completely with their action, thinking "I am the doer" and "This achievement is mine." This ego-centered approach creates a deeply personal investment in the outcome, making the individual vulnerable to pride in success and devastation in failure.Another defining characteristic of rajasic action is bahulāyāsam – it requires great effort, strain, or labor. This excessive exertion doesn't stem from dedication to excellence but rather from restlessness, anxiety, and the desperate desire to secure specific results. The rajasic person works feverishly, often experiencing stress, tension, and an inability to find peace in their work.The effects of rajasic action are complex. On one hand, such action often produces tangible results in the material world – promotions, wealth, recognition, or sensory pleasures. Yet these achievements come with hidden costs: mental agitation, perpetual dissatisfaction, and deeper entanglement in the cycle of desire and action. The rajasic person may achieve their goals but rarely feels fulfilled by them, quickly moving on to the next desire.In our modern achievement-oriented culture, rajasic action often masquerades as success. The executive who works obsessively for promotion, the student who studies solely for grades rather than understanding, or the person who performs charity for recognition – all exemplify this mode. The outward appearance may be impressive, but the inner experience is one of struggle and restlessness rather than peace and fulfillment.By contrasting rajasic action with the previously described sattvic action, Krishna guides us to examine not just what we do but how and why we do it. The path to spiritual growth involves gradually shifting from action motivated by personal desire and ego to action performed with clarity, detachment, and a sense of duty – moving from rajas toward sattva.