यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन ।
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥
प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे पृथानन्दन अर्जुन फलकी इच्छावाला मनुष्य जिस धृतिके द्वारा धर्म, काम भोग और अर्थको अत्यन्त आसक्तिपूर्वक धारण करता है, वह धृति राजसी है ॥
English
Arjuna, the steadiness that clings intensely to duty, pleasure, and wealth, while craving results, is passionate steadiness.
What this verse means
A person can appear steady and disciplined, yet still be driven by attachment to duty, pleasure, and wealth, along with desire for results. That kind of firmness is restless, not pure.
Context & commentary
On the Kurukshetra battlefield, Krishna is sorting Arjuna's inner life into clear types. After describing higher steadiness, he now names a lesser kind: the firmness that holds onto duty, pleasure, and wealth because it wants payoff. It is still discipline, but mixed with craving.
Why this verse still matters
You keep a strict routine, but every habit is secretly aimed at applause, profit, or control. The outside looks disciplined; the inside is bargaining.
The takeaway
Not all self-control is clean. You can look composed while still being pulled by wanting.
Word-by-word translation
यया (by which) / तु (but) / धर्मकामार्थान् (duty, desire, and wealth) / धृत्या (by steadiness) / धारयते (one holds) / अर्जुन (Arjuna) / प्रसङ्गेन (through attachment) / फलाकाङ्क्षी (one desiring results) / धृतिः (steadiness) / सा (that) / पार्थ (Partha) / राजसी (passionate)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: rajas (21 verses), attachment (20 verses)