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Chapter 18 · Verse 34 · Moksha Sanyaas Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 18.34

philosophical Karma & Action Attachment & Letting Go Dharma & Duty

Sanskrit

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी।।18.34।।

Transliteration

yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛityā dhārayate ‘rjuna prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣhī dhṛitiḥ sā pārtha rājasī

Word by Word

yayā by which
tu but
dharma-kāma-arthān duty, pleasures, and wealth
dhṛityā through steadfast will
dhārayate holds
arjuna Arjun
prasaṅgena due of attachment
phala-ākāṅkṣhī desire for rewards
dhṛitiḥ determination
that
pārtha Arjun, the son of Pritha
rājasī in the mode of passion
Simplified Perspective

Here Krishna reveals the nature of rajasic determination—the will that clings to duty, pleasure, and wealth with passionate attachment, always watching for the fruit of its labor. This is not the steadiness of a yogi, but the restlessness of one who acts while bound to outcomes.

When you hold your responsibilities, relationships, and goals with white-knuckled intensity and fear of loss, you are living in this mode—and it exhausts the spirit. The invitation is to act fully, yet hold your results lightly, releasing the desperate grip that turns even noble effort into suffering.

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Bhagavad Gita 18.34 — BG 18.34

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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