In Bhagavad Gita 14.7, Krishna says rajas is of the nature of passion, born of craving and attachment, and it binds the embodied soul through attachment to action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि
तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम्
तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय
कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम् ॥ १४-७ ॥
rajo rāgātmakaṃ viddhi
tṛṣṇāsaṅgasamudbhavam
tannibadhnāti kaunteya
karmasaṅgena dehinam
English transliteration rajo raagaatmakam viddhi
trishnaasangasamudbhavam
tannibadhnaati kaunteya
karmasangena dehinam ॥ 14.7 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Know rajas to be of the nature of passion, arising from craving and attachment. It binds the embodied soul, O son of Kunti, through attachment to action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| रजः rajaḥ | rajas |
| रागात्मकम् rāgātmakam | of the nature of passion rāga (passion) + ātmakam (nature) |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् tṛṣṇāsaṅgasamudbhavam | arising from craving and attachment tṛṣṇā (craving) + saṅga (attachment) + samudbhavam (arising) |
| तत् tat | that |
| निबध्नाति nibadhnāti | binds |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| कर्मसङ्गेन karmasaṅgena | through attachment to action karma (action) + saṅgena (attachment) |
| देहिनम् dehinam | the embodied |
Word-wise Chanting
- ra–jo rā–gāt–ma–kaṃ vid–dhi 8 syllables ra-jo raa-gaat-ma-kam vid-dhi
- tṛṣ–ṇā–saṅ–ga–sa–mud–bha–vam | 8 syllables trish-naa-san-ga-sa-mud-bha-vam
- tan–ni–badh–nā–ti kaun–te–ya 8 syllables tan-ni-badh-naa-ti kaun-te-ya
- kar–ma–saṅ–ge–na de–hi–nam || 14-7 8 syllables kar-ma-san-ge-na de-hi-nam
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 7
Context
Krishna describes how each guna binds (14.6–14.8).
Meaning
Rajas is rāgātmaka, full of passion and desire. It arises from tṛṣṇā, thirst for what one lacks, and saṅga, clinging to what one has. It binds through karma-saṅga, compulsive attachment to activity and its results.
Much of modern life is driven by rajas: constant busyness and wanting more. It energises, but it also exhausts and binds.
In Practice
Notice a moment of restless craving or busyness today. Pause and take three slow breaths before continuing.
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.