रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम्।
तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम्।। १४.७ ।।
Summary Translation:
The mode of passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, O son of Kuntī, and because of this the embodied living entity is bound to material fruitive actions.
In this shloka, Lord Krishna provides a Diagnosis of the mode of Rajas (passion). He defines Rajas as ragatmakam—the nature of attraction or passion—and says it is trsna-sanga-samudbhavam—born of Thirst (desire) and Attachment. This analysis presents Rajas as the Engine of material activity. It is the force that makes a person Ambitious, restless, and constantly seeking More. Krishna explains that Rajas binds the soul through karma-sangena—attachment to Action and its fruits. This shloka provides a Mirror for the modern world, which is largely driven by Rajas. The analysis shows that Achievement and Productivity are the Chains of this mode. A person in Rajas cannot sit still; they feel Theologicaly Compelled to build, acquire, and compete. In a religious sense, this shloka provides the Explanation for Suffering (dukkha). Rajas leads to a Mirage—the idea that if I get this one thing, I will be happy. The detailed interpretation highlights the cycle of trsna (thirst). Just as drinking salt water increases thirst, Fulfillment of Rajasic desires increases the Hunger for more. Krishna addresses Arjuna as Kaunteya, which Reminds him of his warrior nature, which is full of Rajas. This analysis helps a seeker to Recognize the Fever of passion. One is encouraged to see their Ambitions not as Progress but as Entanglement. This shloka provides the Logic for Detachment (Vairagya). It teaches that as long as we are Attached to the results of our actions, we are Slaves to the mode of Rajas. The religious significance is that Rajas Blocks the light of the soul with the Smoke of activity. It confirms that Success in the eyes of the world can be a Disaster for the soul if it increases Bondage. Thus, the detailed analysis of this verse points to the Necessity of cooling the Fire of desire to see the Truth. It prepares the student to understand the even darker mode of Tamas, after seeing how the soul is Driven by the turbulence of Rajas.