Adhyāya 41 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Gurv-anumati and Strategic Counsel (युधिष्ठिरस्य गुर्वनुमतिः)
लोभ: प्रवृत्तिरारम्भ: कर्मणामशम: स्पृहा । रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ,हे अर्जुन रजोगुणके बढ़नेपर लोभ प्रवृत्ति, स्वार्थबुद्धिसे कर्मोंका सकामभावसे आरम्भ, अशान्ति और विषयभोगोंकी लालसा--ये सब उत्पन्न होते हैं*
lobhaḥ pravṛttir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśamaḥ spṛhā | rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛddhe bharatarṣabha ||
قال أرجونا: يا أكرمَ آلِ بهارتا! إذا اشتدّت صفة الرَّجَس (rajas) نشأت: الطمع، والنشاط القَلِق، والشروع في الأعمال بدافع المصلحة الذاتية وطلب الثمرة، واضطراب الباطن، والتعلّق بلذّات الحواس. تلك علامات الرَّجَس إذا قوي.
अजुन उवाच
The verse lists the observable outcomes of intensified rajas: greed, restless engagement, self-driven initiation of actions, inner agitation, and craving for sense-objects. Ethically, it warns that passion-dominance pushes one toward desire-led action and away from calm discernment.
In the Gita’s teaching on the three guṇas, Arjuna asks about their signs. This verse answers by describing how rajas manifests in conduct and mental states, helping the listener recognize passion-driven tendencies in oneself.