In Bhagavad Gita 14.12, Krishna says that when rajas increases, greed, activity, undertaking of works, restlessness and longing arise.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः
कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा
रजस्येतानि जायन्ते
विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ ॥ १४-१२ ॥
lobhaḥ pravṛttirārambhaḥ
karmaṇāmaśamaḥ spṛhā
rajasyetāni jāyante
vivṛddhe bharatarṣabha
English transliteration lobhah pravrittiraarambhah
karmanaamashamah sprihaa
rajasyetaani jaayante
vivriddhe bharatarshabha ॥ 14.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Greed, activity, the undertaking of actions, restlessness and longing: these arise, O best of the Bharatas, when rajas increases.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| लोभः lobhaḥ | greed |
| प्रवृत्तिः pravṛttiḥ | activity |
| आरम्भः ārambhaḥ | undertaking |
| कर्मणाम् karmaṇām | of actions |
| अशमः aśamaḥ | restlessness |
| स्पृहा spṛhā | longing |
| रजसि rajasi | when rajas |
| एतानि etāni | these |
| जायन्ते jāyante | arise |
| विवृद्धे vivṛddhe | increases |
| भरतर्षभ bharatarṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |
Word-wise Chanting
- lo–bhaḥ pra–vṛt–ti–rā–ram–bhaḥ 8 syllables lo-bhah pra-vrit-ti-raa-ram-bhah
- kar–ma–ṇā–ma–śa–maḥ spṛ–hā | 8 syllables kar-ma-naa-ma-sha-mah spri-haa
- ra–jas–ye–tā–ni jā–yan–te 8 syllables ra-jas-ye-taa-ni jaa-yan-te
- vi–vṛd–dhe bha–ra–tar–ṣa–bha || 14-12 8 syllables vi-vrid-dhe bha-ra-tar-sha-bha
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 14 Verse 12
Context
Krishna describes the signs of each guna (14.11–14.13).
Meaning
When rajas dominates, lobha, greed; pravṛtti, restless activity; ārambha, starting new projects; aśama, lack of calm; and spṛhā, craving, all appear. The mind is busy, ambitious and never at rest.
Rajas is useful for getting things done, but when excessive it brings stress and dissatisfaction. Recognising its signs helps us restore balance.
In Practice
If you notice restlessness and craving today, pause, simplify one task and finish it calmly.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Three Gunas). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.