Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 24 Meaning
But that action which is done by one longing for the fulfillment of desires or gain with egotism or with much effort is declared to be Rajasic (passionate).
BG 18.24
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः।क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम्
yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhankāreṇa vā punaḥ kriyate bahulāyāsaṁ tad rājasam udāhṛitam
Meaning
But that action which is done by one longing for the fulfillment of desires or gain with egotism or with much effort is declared to be Rajasic (passionate).
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What Does Bhagavad Gita 18.24 Mean?
This verse carries the weight of lived truth. But that action which is done by one longing for the fulfillment of desires or gain with egotism or with much effort is declared to be Rajasic (passionate). In the context of the synthesis of all teachings and the invitation to complete surrender to the Divine, these words illuminate the principle of duty and grace from a perspective that complements the surrounding verses.
Shankaracharya emphasizes that this teaching is not merely contextual but universal. The principle of duty and grace expressed here transcends its battlefield setting and speaks to the fundamental relationship between action, knowledge, and spiritual realization. Applied to contemporary life, this teaching asks us to examine our relationship with liberation. Not through self-judgment, but through honest observation that gradually shifts our center of gravity from reactive habit to conscious choice.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
What Is the Context of Bhagavad Gita 18.24?
The conclusion of the Gita, summarizing all paths and encouraging Arjuna to surrender to God.
Key themes in this chapter include Liberation, Surrender, Duty, Grace.
How Can I Apply Bhagavad Gita 18.24 in Daily Life?
- •When you need steadiness while dealing with liberation
- •When practicing surrender amid uncertainty
- •When applying duty to real-life choices
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Related Verses
BG 18.2
The Blessed Lord said, "The sages understand sannyasa to be the renunciation of action with desire; the wise declare the abandonment of the fruits of all actions to be tyaga."
BG 18.5
Acts of sacrifice, gift, and austerity should not be abandoned, but should be performed; for sacrifice, gift, and austerity are the purifiers of the wise.
BG 1.1
Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"
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