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

18.27 रागी passionate? कर्मफलप्रेप्सुः desirous of the fruit of action? लुब्धः greedy? हिंसात्मकः cruel? अशुचिः impure? हर्षशोकान्वितः moved by joy and sorrow? कर्ता agent? राजसः Rajasic (passionate)? परिकीर्तितः is called.Commentary A passionate agent is the abode of sins and of greed of the whole world. Wherever he imagines that he may gain worldly fruit he will strive wholeheartedly to obtain it. Whatsoever he gains he keeps strictly to himself and his family. If he attains the fruits of his actions he rejoices. If he fails in his attempt he is overcome by grief.Lubdhah Greedy Thirsting for others property not sharing ones own wealth with deserving persons.Himsatmakah Doing injury to others.Asuchih Impure Having no external and internal purity. (Internal purity is freedom from lust?,anger? greed and pride the heart is filled with compassion? complacency? forgiveness? dispassion? love? etc.)Harshasokanvitah Joy on the attainment of what is desirable? pleasant or agreeable sorrow on the attainment of what is not desirable? pleasant or agreeable? and on having to part with what is desirable. He will be elated with joy when he attains success he will be overcoming by grief when he fails in his undertaking.

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

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.