Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 38 (BG 18.38) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

18.38 विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगात् from the contact of the senseorgans with the objects? यत् which? तत् that? अग्रे at first? अमृतोपमम् like nectar? परिणामे in the end? विषम् poison? इव like? तत् that? सुखम् pleasure? राजसम् Rajasic? स्मृतम् is declared.Commentary Sensual pleasure is mixed with pain? fear and sin. A small grain of sensual pleasure is mixed with a mountain of pain. He who indulges in sensual pleasures will have to experience pain also? side by side. He is afraid of losing the objects that give him pleasure. He is attached to them. Attachment is death. It brings him again and again to this world of death. Fear and attachment coexist with sensual pleasure. He has to exert a lot to get money. He can obtain the objects through money. During exertion he commits many sinful acts and he will have to suffer in hell. The next birth will be of a very low nature. He tells lies and cheats people to obtain money. The senses also lose their vigour through indulgence in sensual pleasure. He loses his strength? vigour? wealth and energy. His intellect becomes dull? weak? impure? turbid and perverted. He loses his money and proper understanding. (Cf.V.22)

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

From the definition given in this verse, it becomes clear that rajasic pleasure possesses characteristics entirely opposite to sattvic pleasure. Rajasic pleasure can be attained only through direct contact between the senses and their objects. Unfortunately, this union of the two cannot remain permanent, for the objects of sense are impermanent and ever-changing. Similarly, the senses that engage with these objects, along with the mind and intellect, are also impermanent. Since both the objects to be enjoyed and the organs of enjoyment are transient, it is impossible for their union to be eternal. In such circumstances, how can rajasic pleasure be permanent? No person can fully and adequately enjoy even this momentary sensory pleasure, for even during the period of enjoyment, one remains gripped by fear and anxiety that this pleasure might soon come to an end. Only those of rajasic temperament can become absorbed in such pleasures, which are in truth the very causes of suffering. The discerning person does not indulge in them.