Bhagavad Gita · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation

Chapter 18, Verse 31

"Bhagavad Gita 18.31" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

18.31 That, by which one wrongly understands Dharma and Adharma and also what ought to be done and what ought not to be done that intellect, O Arjuna, is Rajasic (passionate).

।।18.31।। हे पार्थ ! जिस बुद्धि के द्वारा मनुष्य धर्म और अधर्म को तथा कर्तव्य और अकर्तव्य को यथावत् नहीं जानता है, वह बुद्धि राजसी है।।

Explanation

18.31 यया by which? धर्मम् Dharma? अधर्मम् Adharma? च and? कार्यम् what ought to be done? च and? अकार्यम् what ought not to be done? एव even? च and? अयथावत् wrongly? प्रजानाति understands? बुद्धिः intellect? सा that? पार्थ O Partha? राजसी Rajasic (passionate).Commentary There is no proper eivalent in the English language for the word Dharma. Duty? righteousness? virtue? law are very poor translations of the word. That which elevates you and takes you to the goal? i.e.? Brahman or the Self? is Dharma. That which hurls you down into the dark abyss of ignorance is Adharma. What is ordained in the scriptures is Dharma what is prohibited by them is Adharma. A Rajasic intellect is not able to distinguish between right and wrong or to understand the difference between righteous and unrighteous actions.Ayathavat Wrongly Contrary to what is determined by all authorities or men of wisdom or to the highest knowledge.

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 18.31 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 31, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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