BG 18.24
Actions born of passion seek to gratify sensual desires and nurture the ego, regardless of how strenuous the endeavor may be.
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम्
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yat — which
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tu — but
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kāmepsunā — prompted by selfish desire
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karma — action
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sāhankāreṇa — with pride
sa-ahaṅkāreṇa -
vā — or
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punaḥ — again
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kriyate — enacted
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bahulāyāsaṁ — stressfully
bahula-āyāsam -
tad — that
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rājasam — in the nature of passion
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udāhṛitam — is said to be
An action is pure when it is performed without attachment, free from desire or aversion, by one who does not seek the result of performing it. Actions born of passion seek to gratify sensual desires and nurture the ego, regardless of how strenuous the endeavor may be. Actions born of ignorance are undertaken without regard to consequences, capacity, or potential harm.
Similar verses
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Passion, engendered by thirst for pleasure and attachment, establishes itself with attachment to action.
- Verse 14.7
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Sacrifice which is performed for the sake of its results, or for self-glorification, is the product of passion.
- Verse 17.12
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One who acts with attachment, seeks the fruit of their actions, who is greedy, cruel, or swayed by delight or sorrow, is said to be of an passionate nature.
- Verse 18.27
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Greed, restlessness, agitation, and craving, are all due to the dominance of passion.
- Verse 14.12
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The pleasure from the contact of the senses with the sense objects, which starts as nectar and ends as poison, is born of passion.
- Verse 18.38