Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 27 (BG 18.27) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

In this verse, a complete portrait of the rajasic agent is presented. The adjectives used to describe such a person are arranged in a specific sequence that is worthy of study. When the objects perceived by the senses are understood as truth, beauty, and sources of happiness, attachment toward them arises. This very attachment, when it becomes more intense, takes the form of desire—expressed here by the term "desirous of results." When a person overwhelmed by craving obtains the desired object, satisfaction does not follow; instead, greed is born within him. Such a person becomes greedy. There is a Sanskrit saying: "From greed arises the cause of sin"—meaning that greed gives birth to sinful actions. This greedy person may even resort to violence for his own gain. He shows no concern for the suffering and pain of others. He becomes impure—of wicked nature. By any and every means, he seeks only the fulfillment of his own selfish interests. And finally, when he experiences both desired and undesired results, he inevitably experiences either excessive joy or deep sorrow. This is the complete portrait of the rajasic agent. We observe that even a person who generally conducts himself with moral and religious virtue, when overcome by the ghost of desire, loses his good qualities, and thereafter his actions become vengeful and his plans become wicked and violent. Such a rajasic agent experiences only suffering throughout life. Now, let us describe the tamasic agent.