18.31 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 18, Verse 31

Bhagavad Gita 18.31 delves into the subtle workings of human intelligence when influenced by the mode of passion, or rajas. Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna that while buddhi, or intellect, serves as our internal compass for discerning right from wrong, this faculty can become clouded under the sway of passionate desires and personal attachments. Instead of serving as a clear guide, rajasic intelligence skews our perception, making it difficult to distinguish between dharma (what is righteous) and adharma (what is unrighteous), as well as between actions that should and should not be performed. It is not outright ignorance, but rather a distortion—knowing, but knowing incorrectly, or “ayathāvat prajānāti” as the verse describes it.

This misaligned understanding is rooted in the tendency to see things through the lens of ego, ambition, or worldly goals. For example, a person may believe they are acting virtuously by supporting their family at any cost, even if it means resorting to unethical practices. Here, intelligence invents justifications for actions that, upon objective examination, don’t align with true dharma. Decisions are made on the basis of what feels good in the moment or what is socially applauded, not on what is deeply and truly right. This tendency to confuse duties and rationalize questionable choices is characteristic of buddhi colored by rajas.

This verse illustrates how passion-driven intelligence creates a haze, where we operate not from clarity, but from impulsiveness or restlessness. Rajasic intelligence can recognize concepts like dharma and adharma but interprets them inaccurately—often seeing virtue where there is self-interest and failing to recognize the long-term consequences of actions. The intellect is not ignorant of moral categories, yet it is unable to apply them rightly, often swayed by external pressures or emotional reactions. Thus, even actions that seem responsible on the surface may actually spring from a confused moral foundation.

The verse’s Sanskrit phrase “ayathāvat prajānāti” is key: it means perceiving or knowing incorrectly. Under rajas, ones intellect selectively interprets facts to suit personal motivators—be they fear of failure, desire for recognition, or the need for quick results. This sort of intelligence is clever, often rationalizing decisions with surface-level explanations, but it fails to penetrate to the deeper truth of what truly ought to be done. In such cases, clarity is sacrificed for convenience, and pursuits are guided more by fleeting passions than steadfast principles.

Sri Krishna’s teaching in this verse is not a condemnation but an observation of a universal psychological tendency. The message is that the mind, when agitated by passions, loses its precision in judgment. This is not unique to any one person; all individuals are susceptible to letting emotions and societal validation override inner wisdom at times. The rajasic intellect may even make wrong seem right, simply because the pressure to act, to achieve, or to possess, overwhelms the quiet voice of conscience.

A practical example can be seen in everyday life: a student may justify cheating on an exam by believing that the system is unfair or that everyone else is doing it. Here, the intellect invents narratives that support short-term advantage but ignore the erosion of integrity and the broader consequences of such choices. Similarly, a professional might defend cutting corners at work to deliver faster results, rationalizing that it is for the greater good of the company or team. In both cases, the line between right and wrong is blurred by rajasic impulses, and the true nature of duty is misrepresented.

This verse also implicitly warns that rajasic intelligence is not without its strengths—it can be energetic, resourceful, and even effective in material pursuits. However, without a foundation in clear discernment, these strengths are misdirected. The verse reminds us that true understanding is not just the ability to act, but the capacity to rightly judge what actions are worthy of pursuing, and which should be restrained. When rajas dominates, that faculty of discernment is compromised, causing confusion about priorities, ethics, and ultimate goals.

In summary, Bhagavad Gita 18.31 highlights that when our intelligence is colored by passion, it loses its accuracy and makes us vulnerable to errors in judgment. Instead of guiding us toward higher principles, it bends reality to fit transient desires and ambitions. The verse serves as a reminder that refining our intellect is crucial for making choices that reflect our highest potential and deepest truths, rather than being carried away by the gusts of emotion or social influence. Only with clear, sattvic (pure) intelligence can we confidently discern and choose the path of lasting good over fleeting gain.