Shloka 12
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 ||
Arjuna berkata: Wahai yang utama dalam keturunan Bharata! Apabila guna rajas berkembang, lahirlah ketamakan, kegiatan yang gelisah, memulakan perbuatan dengan niat berkepentingan diri dan mengharap hasil, kegelisahan batin, serta keinginan kuat terhadap kenikmatan indera—itulah tanda-tanda rajas yang meningkat.
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.