Shloka 12
Adhyāya 41 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Gurv-anumati and Strategic Counsel (युधिष्ठिरस्य गुर्वनुमतिः)
लोभ: प्रवृत्तिरारम्भ: कर्मणामशम: स्पृहा । रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ
lobhaḥ pravṛttir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśamaḥ spṛhā | rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛddhe bharatarṣabha ||
Arjuna dijo: ¡Oh el mejor de los Bhāratas! Cuando la cualidad de rajas crece, nacen la codicia, la actividad inquieta, el emprender acciones con interés propio y deseo de fruto, la intranquilidad interior y el ansia de placeres de los sentidos: tales son las señales de rajas en aumento.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
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.