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Bhagavad-gītā 18.34

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन । प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृति: सा पार्थ राजसी ॥ ३४ ॥
yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān
[yayaa tu dharma-kaamaarthaan]
dhṛtyā dhārayate ’rjuna
[dhrityaa dhaarayate ’rjuna]
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī
[prasangena phalaakaankshee]
dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī
[dhritih saa paartha raajasee]
Word-for-word
yayā — by which tu — but dharma — religiosity kāma — sense gratification arthān — and economic development dhṛtyā — by determination dhārayate — one sustains arjuna — O Arjuna prasaṅgena — because of attachment phala - ākāṅkṣī — desiring fruitive results dhṛtiḥ — determination sā — that pārtha — O son of Pṛthā rājasī — in the mode of passion .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān
yayā
by which
tu
but
dharma
religiosity
kāma
sense gratification
arthān
and economic development
dhṛtyā dhārayate ’rjuna
dhṛtyā
by determination
dhārayate
one sustains
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī
dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī
arjuna
O Arjuna
prasaṅgena
because of attachment
phala - ākāṅkṣī
desiring fruitive results
dhṛtiḥ
determination
sā
that
pārtha
O son of Pṛthā
rājasī
in the mode of passion .
Important Words
  • arthān — (economic) ends
    Plural. Listed with dharma and kāma — three of the four puruṣārthas, pointedly excluding mokṣa. The rājasa worker pursues even *dharma* and *artha* with attachment to their rewards.
  • prasaṅgena — because of attachment
    Instrumental. Prasaṅga — clinging, deep absorption. The dhṛti is sustained *because* of attachment, not despite it. Attachment is the fuel.
  • phala-ākāṅkṣī — desiring the fruit
    Compound noun. The doer's whole self-description includes 'fruit-craver.' His determination tracks his cravings precisely — strong where the prize is, weak where it isn't.
  • rājasī — in the mode of passion
    The classification. This is the dhṛti of most successful worldly people, including many religious careerists. Real, sustained, and bound.
  • dhṛtyā — by determination
    Same word as in verse 33, marking that the same faculty is operating — but at a different mode. The capacity is identical; the coloring is the difference.
But that determination by which one holds fast to fruitive results in religion, economic development and sense gratification is of the nature of passion, O Arjuna.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Rājasī resolve is the grip of the achiever who clings to the first three puruṣa-arthas — dharma, kāma, artha — while never letting go of expected fruits. Determined, yes, but tethered to results.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Note the omission of mokṣa from the list: rājasī dhṛti pursues the worldly three but stops short of liberation. 'Prasaṅga' (attachment, engagement-with-result) names the binding factor. This is the determination of the high-functioning householder who never quite leaves results-anxiety behind.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
हे अर्जुन पार्थ! यया तु धृत्या प्रसङ्गेन फल-आकाङ्क्षी धर्म-काम-अर्थान् धारयते, सा धृतिः राजसी ।
he arjuna pārtha! yayā tu dhṛtyā prasaṅgena phala-ākāṅkṣī dharma-kāma-arthān dhārayate, sā dhṛtiḥ rājasī |
But that determination by which, O Arjuna, a fruit-craving person, through clinging engagement, holds onto dharma, kāma, and artha — is rājasī.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
यया तु धर्म-काम-अर्थान् धृत्या धारयते अर्जुन । प्रसङ्गेन फल-आकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥
yayā tu dharma-kāma-arthān dhṛtyā dhārayate arjuna | prasaṅgena phala-ākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
यया yayā यद् (pron. (pronoun)) ins.sg. (instrumental singular)f. by which
तु tu ind. (indeclinable) but
धर्म-काम-अर्थान् dharma-kāma-arthān dvandva cpd. (compound) acc.pl. (accusative plural)m. dharma, kāma, artha
धृत्या dhṛtyā धृति (f.) ins.sg. (instrumental singular) by determination
धारयते dhārayate √धृ caus. (causative) pres. (present) 3sg.ātm. (ātmanepada / middle voice) holds
अर्जुन arjuna अर्जुन (m.) voc.sg. (vocative singular) O Arjuna
प्रसङ्गेन prasaṅgena प्रसङ्ग (m.) ins.sg. (instrumental singular) by attachment
फल-आकाङ्क्षी phala-ākāṅkṣī bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) nom.sg. (nominative singular)m. fruit-craving
धृतिः dhṛtiḥ धृति (f.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) determination
सा sā तद् (pron. (pronoun)) nom.sg. (nominative singular)f. that
पार्थ pārtha पार्थ (m.) voc.sg. (vocative singular) O Pārtha
राजसी rājasī राजसी (adj.) nom.sg. (nominative singular)f. rājasī
Purport

Any person who is always desirous of fruitive results in religious or economic activities, whose only desire is sense gratification, and whose mind, life and senses are thus engaged is in the mode of passion.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
34. That determination desiring results, by which one restrains the senses and mind to attain dharma, artha and kāma with great attachment, is in the mode of rajas.
Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
34. That determination by a person desiring results, through association with similar persons, engaging the senses and mind in actions to attain dharma, artha and kāma, is in the mode of rajas.
Commentary

That determination by which a desirer of results (phalākāṅkṣī), by association with persons experienced in fulfilling their desires (prasaṅgena), engages the mind, prāṇas and senses in activities to attain dharma, artha and kāma, is determination in the mode of passion.

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

Determination in passion

One holds fast to fruitive results in religion, economic development and sense gratification
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
18.34 Tu, but, O Partha; the dhrtya, firmness; yaya, with which; a person dharayate, holds on to; dharma-kama-arthan, righteousness, covetable things and wealth-entertains the conviction in the mind that these ought to be pursued always; and becomes phala-akanksi, desirous of their fruits; prasangena, as the occasion for each arises, according as the situation arises for holding on to any one of dharma etc.; sa, that; dhrtih, firmness; is rajasi, born of rajas.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
18.34 That Dhrti by which a person who, desirous of fruits, i.e., through intense attachment holds fast to duty, desires, and wealth, is of the nature of Rajas. By the terms 'Dharma-kam'artha,' the activities of the mind, vital force and senses as a means for the attainment of Dharma (duty) Kama (pleasure) and Artha (wealth) are signified. Even in the expression, 'One desirous of fruits,' that term indicates duty, desire and wealth, on account of the Rajasika nature of the aspirant. Therefore, what is said amounts to this: the Dhrti by which one maintains activities of the mind etc., with the purpose of attaining duty; desire and wealth, is of the nature of Rajas.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
18.34 See Comment under 18.35
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
18.34 But that, O Arjuna, by which, on account of attachment and desire for reward, one holds fast to Dharma (duty), enjoyment of pleasures and earning of wealth that firmness, O Arjuna, is Rajasic (passionate).
Commentary

18.34 यया (by) which? तु but? धर्मकामार्थान् Dharma (duty)? desire and wealth? धृत्या by firmness? धारयते holds? अर्जुन O Arjuna? प्रसङ्गेन on account of attachment? फलाकाङ्क्षी desirous of the fruit of action? धृतिः firmness? सा that? पार्थ O Arjuna? राजसी Rajasic (passionate).Commentary The man of Rajasic firmness imagines that he will achieve the threefold aim of life and clings to it passionately. He is desirous of getting the rewards of his actions. He endeavours to attain Dharma? wealth and pleasure. The firmness of such a person is Rajasic or passionate.Now listen? O Arjuna? to the third kind of firmness -- the Tamasic type.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
18.34 But, O Partha, the firmness with which one holds on to righteousness, covetable things and wealth, being desirous of their fruits as the occasion for each arises, that firmness is born of rajas.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
18.34 The conviction which always holds fast to rituals, to self-interest and wealth, for the sake of what they may bring forth - that comes from Passion.
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)
Related verses
BG 2.43 BG 7.16 BG 9.21 SB 11.25.29 SB 6.1.9 SB 11.14.5 CC Madhya 22.8 CC Madhya 24.88 CC Madhya 9.261 Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.6Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.2.10
Concepts
Dharma
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Determination clinging to dharma, sense-pleasure, wealth, with attachment — rajasic.
Practical Applications
  • Notice when determination is mode-mixed.
  • Don't admire rajasic determination.
  • Aim for sattvic.
Reflection Questions
  • What of my determinations are rajasic?
  • What sattvic alternative?
Analogy

An athlete trains tirelessly for the medal, the contract, and the cheering. His discipline is real; his dhṛti is muscular; but every grain of his determination is mortgaged to a future trophy. Rājasa dhṛti is exactly such steadiness — focused, formidable, and unfree.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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