Shloka

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन |
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ||१८-३४||

Transliteration

yayā tu dharmakāmārthāndhṛtyā dhārayate.arjuna .
prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||18-34||

Translations

Dr.S.Sankaranarayan

18.34. O Arjuna ! The content by which one restrains one’s bounden duty, pleasure and wealth, and conseently desiring the fruits [of action]-that content is of the Rajas (Strand), O son of Prtha !

Shri Purohit Swami

18.34 The conviction which always holds fast to rituals, to self-interest and wealth, for the sake of what they may bring forth - that comes from Passion.

Sri Abhinav Gupta

18.34 See Comment under 18.35

Sri Ramanuja

18.34 That Dhrti by which a person who, desirous of fruits, i.e., through intense attachment holds fast to duty, desires, and wealth, is of the nature of Rajas. By the terms ‘Dharma-kam’artha,’ the activities of the mind, vital force and senses as a means for the attainment of Dharma (duty) Kama (pleasure) and Artha (wealth) are signified. Even in the expression, ‘One desirous of fruits,’ that term indicates duty, desire and wealth, on account of the Rajasika nature of the aspirant. Therefore, what is said amounts to this: the Dhrti by which one maintains activities of the mind etc., with the purpose of attaining duty; desire and wealth, is of the nature of Rajas.

Sri Shankaracharya

18.34 Tu, but, O Partha; the dhrtya, firmness; yaya, with which; a person dharayate, holds on to; dharma-kama-arthan, righteousness, covetable things and wealth-entertains the conviction in the mind that these ought to be pursued always; and becomes phala-akanksi, desirous of their fruits; prasangena, as the occasion for each arises, according as the situation arises for holding on to any one of dharma etc.; sa, that; dhrtih, firmness; is rajasi, born of rajas.

Swami Adidevananda

18.34 That Dhrti, O Arjuna, by which one, who is desirous of fruits, longs for them with intense attachment, and holds fast to duty, desire and wealth - that Dhrti is Rajasika.

Swami Gambirananda

18.34 But, O Partha, the firmness with which one holds on to righteousness, covetable things and wealth, being desirous of their fruits as the occasion for each arises, that firmness is born of rajas.

Swami Sivananda

18.34 But that, O Arjuna, by which, on account of attachment and desire for reward, one holds fast to Dharma (duty), enjoyment of pleasures and earning of wealth that firmness, O Arjuna, is Rajasic (passionate).

Commentaries

Swami Sivananda

18.34 यया (by) which? तु but? धर्मकामार्थान् Dharma (duty)? desire and wealth? धृत्या by firmness? धारयते holds? अर्जुन O Arjuna? प्रसङ्गेन on account of attachment? फलाकाङ्क्षी desirous of the fruit of action? धृतिः firmness? सा that? पार्थ O Arjuna? राजसी Rajasic (passionate).Commentary The man of Rajasic firmness imagines that he will achieve the threefold aim of life and clings to it passionately. He is desirous of getting the rewards of his actions. He endeavours to attain Dharma? wealth and pleasure. The firmness of such a person is Rajasic or passionate.Now listen? O Arjuna? to the third kind of firmness – the Tamasic type.