The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

Krishna explains rajasic action. 'Yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṅkāreṇa vā punaḥ kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ'—that action (yat karma) which is performed (kriyate) by one who desires fruits (kāma-īpsunā), with ego (sahaṅkāreṇa), or (vā punaḥ) with much effort (bahula-āyāsam). 'Tad rājasam udāhṛtam'—that (tat) is declared (udāhṛtam) to be rajasic (rājasam). This is rajasic action: performed with desire for fruits, with ego, or with excessive effort and strain. This is the middle kind of action: driven by rajas (passion), which creates attachment to results, ego-based thinking, and excessive striving. Unlike sattvic action (which is detached and balanced), rajasic action is attached to outcomes, driven by ego, or performed with much strain. This action binds you because you're attached to fruits, identified with ego, or straining excessively. This is action driven by passion rather than duty.