yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhankāreṇa vā punaḥ
kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛitam
yat — which;
tu — but;
kāma-īpsunā — prompted by selfish desire;
karma — action;
sa-ahaṅkāreṇa — with pride;
vā — or;
punaḥ — again;
kriyate — enacted;
bahula-āyāsam — stressfully;
tat — that;
rājasam — in the nature of passion;
udāhṛitam — is said to be
In this verse, Krishna is talking about the kind of actions that people take when they are driven by strong desires and ambitions. Imagine someone who works really hard at their job, not just because they enjoy it or want to help others, but mainly because they want to earn more money or gain a better position. This person is focused on achieving personal benefits that make them feel important or successful.
When we act from a place of 'false ego,' it means that the person sees themselves as the most important part of everything they are doing. They think that they are the ones making things happen and that their achievements define their worth. For instance, if someone is always measuring their success by how much money they have or how many people praise them, they are likely acting from this false ego. This mindset can lead to constant stress, as they are always trying to prove themselves and achieve more, never satisfied with what they have.
Actions taken in such a passionate manner usually cause a lot of anxiety and pressure. Instead of bringing happiness, they often end up making the person feel restless. Think of it like running on a hamster wheel: you’re putting in a lot of effort, but you’re not really getting anywhere meaningful in terms of peace and satisfaction.
Additionally, because these actions are driven by personal desires, they can trap people in a cycle of wanting more. Just when someone thinks they are happy after achieving a goal, another desire pops up, urging them to want something else. This cycle can lead to a deeper attachment to material things - money, status, possessions - making it harder to find true contentment.
Overall, Krishna is highlighting that while working hard and striving for goals can seem admirable, if those actions are only to feed one’s desires and ego, they do not help us grow spiritually or connect to deeper happiness. To experience true peace and fulfillment, it’s important to look beyond just personal gain and focus on actions that uplift ourselves and others without the heavy burden of selfish desires.