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Chapter 14 • Verse 12
The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna describes the signs of increased rajas: 'Lobhaḥ pravṛttir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśamaḥ spṛhā'—greed (lobhaḥ), activity (pravṛttiḥ), undertaking of actions (ārambhaḥ), restlessness (aśamaḥ), and intense desire (spṛhā). 'Rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛddhe'—these arise (jāyante) when rajas increases. This is how you recognize rajas: when you're driven by greed, constantly active, starting many projects, restless, and filled with intense desire. When rajas is dominant, there's constant movement, endless activity, and insatiable craving. Understanding this helps you recognize when rajas is active and how it binds you through attachment to action.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
Krishna reveals that when rajas increases, greed, activity, restlessness, and intense desire arise. This is how you recognize rajas: not just as a feeling, but as actual patterns of behavior—constantly wanting more, constantly doing, constantly restless. When rajas is dominant, you're driven by insatiable craving, endless activity, and the inability to rest. Understanding this helps you recognize when rajas is active and how it binds you. You can observe these patterns without being completely controlled by them. You can choose to cultivate sattva instead—calm, clarity, and purpose rather than constant activity and desire.
Personal Reflection
Do you experience greed, constant activity, restlessness, or intense desire? How would recognizing these as signs of rajas help you gain freedom?
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