विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगाद्यत्तदग्रेऽमृतोपमम् ।
परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥
परिणामे विषमिव तत्सुखं राजसं स्मृतम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो सुख इन्द्रियों और विषयोंके संयोगसे आरम्भमें अमृतकी तरह और परिणाममें विषकी तरह होता है, वह सुख राजस कहा गया है ॥
English
The pleasure that begins like nectar from contact between the senses and their objects, but ends like poison, is called rajasic pleasure.
What this verse means
Pleasures that come from sensory contact can feel wonderful at first, but they often leave pain, restlessness, or disappointment afterward.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands frozen while Krishna explains why not all happiness is equal. After describing higher, steadier joy, Krishna now names the kind that comes from sense contact: exciting at first, damaging later.
Why this verse still matters
You open the app for one quick scroll after midnight, then another, then another. The rush feels harmless in the moment, but the next morning tells the truth.
The takeaway
Not every pleasure is worth trusting. Some delights borrow their sweetness from the future.
Word-by-word translation
विषयेन्द्रियसंयोगात् (from contact of senses and objects) / यत् (which) / तत् (that) / अग्रे (at first) / अमृतोपमम् (like nectar) / परिणामे (in the end) / विषमिव (like poison) / तत् (that) / सुखम् (pleasure) / राजसम् (rajasic) / स्मृतम् (is said to be)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: sattva (26 verses), tamas (18 verses)