In Bhagavad Gita 18.38, Krishna says happiness arising from the contact of the senses with their objects, which is like nectar at first but like poison in the end, is rajasic.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्
यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम्
परिणामे विषमिव
तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥ १८-३८ ॥
viṣayendriyasaṃyogād
yattadagre’mṛtopamam
pariṇāme viṣamiva
tatsukhaṃ rājasaṃ smṛtam
English transliteration vishayendriyasamyogaad
yattadagre’mritopamam
parinaame vishamiva
tatsukham raajasam smritam ॥ 18.38 ॥
Translation / Meaning
That happiness which arises from the contact of the senses with their objects, which is like nectar at first but like poison in the end, is held to be rajasic.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगात् viṣayendriyasaṃyogāt | from the contact of the senses with their objects viṣaya (objects) + indriya (senses) + saṃyogāt (contact) |
| यत् yat | which |
| तत् tat | that |
| अग्रे agre | at first |
| अमृतोपमम् amṛtopamam | like nectar |
| परिणामे pariṇāme | in the end |
| विषम् viṣam | poison |
| इव iva | like |
| तत् tat | that |
| सुखम् sukham | happiness |
| राजसम् rājasam | rajasic |
| स्मृतम् smṛtam | is held |
Word-wise Chanting
- vi–ṣa–yen–dri–ya–saṃ–yo–gād– 8 syllables vi-sha-yen-dri-ya-sam-yo-gaad-
- yat–ta–dag–re–‘mṛ–to–pa–mam | 8 syllables yat-ta-dag-re-‘mri-to-pa-mam
- pa–ri–ṇā–me vi–ṣa–mi–va 8 syllables pa-ri-naa-me vi-sha-mi-va
- tat–su–khaṃ rā–ja–saṃ smṛ–tam || 18-38 8 syllables tat-su-kham raa-ja-sam smri-tam
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 18 Verse 38
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of happiness (18.36–18.39).
Meaning
Rājasa sukha arises from viṣaya-indriya-saṃyoga, the meeting of the senses with their objects. It feels like nectar at first, but ends like poison: in loss, craving, exhaustion or regret.
Many pleasures follow this pattern. Recognising it helps us choose more wisely.
In Practice
Before indulging in a pleasure today, consider how you will feel afterward.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). 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.