रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम्
तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम्
rajo rāgātmakaṃ viddhi tṛṣṇāsaṅgasamudbhavam
tannibadhnāti kaunteya karmasaṅgena dehinam
TRANSLATION
Know, O Arjuna, that Rajas is of the nature of passion springing from thirst and attachment. It binds the embodied self with attachment to work.
PURPORT
Rajas is of the nature of passion, namely, it causes sexual desire. ‘Passion’ (Raga) is mutual yearning between a man and a woman. ‘Springing from thirst and attachment’ means it is the source of sensuality and attachment. ‘Trshna’, (thirst, sensuality) is the longing for all sense-objects, such as sound etc. ‘Sanga’ (attachment) is the inordinate longing for union with one’s sons, friends and such other relations. By creating longing for actions, it binds the embodied self. Whatever actions have been begun by the self from longing for sensual enjoyments, they become the cause of births in bodies that constitute the means for experiencing such enjoyments. Therefore Rajas binds the embodied self through attachment to actions. What is said is this: Rajas is the cause of sexuality, sensuality and attachment, and of constant engagement in actions.