Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : Chapter-18, Slokam - 34.

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Friday, August 26. 2022. 07:30. 

Chapter-18.  Moksha-sannyasa-yogam.

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Slokam-34 :

"Yaya  tu   dharmakamarthan   dhrtya  dharayaterjuna,

prasamgena   phalakamkshī   dhrtih   sa   partha   rajasi."

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Translation ;

Arjuna!  Partha!  =  Hey  Arjuna!

yaya  dhrtya   tu   =   by  which  dhrti  (  courageous,   pleasant,  quick,  action  with  determination );

dharma  kama  arthan   =  daharmam  (  truth  ),  kamam  (  desire  ),  artham  ( wealth ),  these  three  purushartha-s;

dharayate  =   in  execution;

prasamgena   =  because  of  attachment  with  those  three   purushartha-s;

phala  akamkshi   =  and  having  desire  for  the  result  of  fruit /reward /gain;

sa  dhrtih  rajasi  =  that  dhrti  is  said  to  be  rajasam. 

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Slokam Tatvam :

BG 18.34: The steadfast willpower by which one holds on to duty, pleasures, and wealth, out of attachment and desire for rewards, O Arjuna, is determination in the mode of passion.

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Commentary :

The dhrita or determination that is influenced by raja guna the mode of passion is motivated by desire for rewards and desires for kama or enjoyment and artha or wealth and hopes for dharma or righteousness keeps the impetus activated.

For these are the means by which one interacts in life using the mind, senses and physical body; but the rewards that are reaped are only material and temporary.

Moksham or liberation form material existence is never able to be achieved if one is motivated for rewards for their actions.

So Lord Krishna has confirmed that activities which engage the mind, senses and body for the purpose of recompense and rewards is situated totally in raja guna and although may achieve kama, artha and dharma such activities can never bestow moksa.

Now Lord Krishna describes the dhriti or determination that is influenced by raja guna the mode of passion.

The proposed activity which is engaged in for the purpose of reaping the rewards of worldly enjoyments and material possessions, which is executed with the conception that one is the doer and which one is attached to and zealous of such dhriti is undeniably situated in raja guna.

The dhrita or determination whereby a jiva or embodied being is attached to actions in a stable and steady manner only due to desires for rewards of pleasure and hopes for recompense of wealth is designated by Lord Krishna as dhrita situated in raja guna the mode of passion. 

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Conclusion :

Determination is not found exclusively in yogis. Worldly-minded people are also staunchly determined in their pursuits. However, their determination is fanned by their desire to delight in the fruits of their efforts. They are focused on enjoying sensual pleasures, acquiring wealth, etc. And since money is the means for acquiring these, such people cling to money for their very life. Shree Krishna says that determination fuelled by the desire for enjoying rewards is in the mode of passion.

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To be continued  ....

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