rajo rāgātmakaṁ viddhi tṛiṣhṇā-saṅga-samudbhavam
tan nibadhnāti kaunteya karma-saṅgena dehinam
rajaḥ — mode of passion;
rāga-ātmakam — of the nature of passion;
viddhi — know;
tṛiṣhṇā — desires;
saṅga — association;
samudbhavam — arises from;
tat — that;
nibadhnāti — binds;
kaunteya — Arjun, the son of Kunti;
karma-saṅgena — through attachment to fruitive actions;
dehinam — the embodied soul
This verse talks about the 'mode of passion,' which is one of the three ways in which we can behave and think. Specifically, the mode of passion is all about our desires and wants. Think of it as a strong energy that pushes us to chase after things we want in life, like success, pleasure, and recognition from others.
When we are in the mode of passion, our lives are often focused on our desires. For example, if someone really wants a new car, a fancy job, or even popularity, that desire drives them to work very hard and sometimes pushes them toward unhealthy competition. This constant craving can feel exciting but can also create stress, as we fight to achieve the things we believe will satisfy us.
In a relationship context, the mode of passion often reflects the attraction between men and women; there’s a strong pull between people that leads to romantic relationships. This attraction can lead to intense feelings, but it can also make us very dependent on others for our happiness. We start thinking that we need a perfect partner or a good family to feel complete.
As we become more entangled in our desires, we start to lose freedom. The verse explains that when we have these desires, we become bound to the activities that we do to fulfill them. For example, if we have a strong desire for a nice house, we might work late hours, sacrificing our personal time and even our health to achieve this goal. Instead of enjoying life, we can feel trapped in a cycle of working hard to keep up with our desires.
The passage also suggests that in the world around us, many people are stuck in this mode of passion. Society sometimes pushes individuals to constantly achieve more, whether it’s gaining wealth or achieving social status. People often feel obligated to meet the expectations of society—buying the latest gadgets, living in a big house, or showing off a successful career—because they believe that this is what brings happiness.
Lastly, the verse highlights a concern: if people busy themselves so much chasing after material things in the mode of passion and there isn’t a pathway for liberation or understanding beyond these desires, it suggests that they may end up feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. They might wonder if there’s more to life than just working to satisfy each craving.
So, overall, this verse is a reminder that while pursuing desires can be exciting, it can also lead us into a loop where we feel bound to these goals, rather than being able to enjoy life freely.