Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga:: Verse 27
रागी कर्मफलप्रेप्सुर्लुब्धो हिंसात्मकोऽशुचि: ।
हर्षशोकान्वित: कर्ता राजस: परिकीर्तित: ॥
rāgī karma-phala-prepsurlubdho hiṃsātmako’śuci:
harṣa-śokānvita: kartā rājasa: parikīrtita: – 18.27
The one who is passionately desirous of the fruits of his action, greedy, and (hence) given to even violent and impure moves, swinging repeatedly between elation and depression, is called a rājasa performer.
Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga: - Verse 27
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Rajo-guna is noted for engaging one in incessant activity, craving to enjoy its immediate results. In the process it may even instigate him to hurt others. Under its sway, the performer is given to impure thoughts and attitudes in achieving his ends. The ambition to get things done makes him averse to any kind of moderation.
For the rājasa people, life becomes meaningful only when it evokes thrills to the mind and senses. To indulge in and swing between varied emotions is their nature. The sorrow that accrues if the expected joy is not gained, urges them further to keep up the passion for activity and the results it promises.
The rājasa kartā does not let any ethical considerations affect his thoughts and performance, so that he can remain undeterred in his execution. He thinks, “To yield to restraints is to deny the pride and joy of acting. An actor, to be successful, has to be ambitious and passionate.”
