Chapter 18 Shloka 34
यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन।
प्रसंङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृति: सा प्रार्थ राजसी।।३४।।
Now Bhagwan speaks of rajsic determination or dhriti.
O Arjuna! That determination is said to be rajsic in nature, whereby an individual, on account of extreme attachment to the fruits of action, grasps virtues, earthly desires and worldly possessions.
Rajsic dhriti (राजसी धृति)
1. The one who possesses rajsic dhriti endeavours for the fulfilment of his earthly desires.
2. Such a one speaks of dharma only for the fulfilment of some personal desire.
3. He pursues works of dharma also for a similar goal of desire satiation.
4. He engages in incessant worship, yagyas, works of charity and acts of endurance in order to gain his heart’s desire.
5. He even collects sense objects with a view to the fulfilment of selfish goals.
6. He labours hard for the fulfilment of his desires.
7. He endures much to fulfil his selfish aims.
8. He endures people’s barbs and criticisms if it serves his selfish purposes.
9. He also endures many physical hardships for the fulfilment of selfish goals.
10. He tolerates hunger, thirst and many other physical trials to gratify his worldly desires.
He does all this in order to establish his body-self, and he can endure much because:
1. He desires some specific fruit or outcome of his action.
2. He wishes to build up a reputation for himself.
3. He wishes to attain wealth.
4. He wants to make a name in the world.
5. He wants to make a home for himself.
6. He seeks the satiation of his greed.
7. He wants to increase his arrogance.
8. He wishes to secure his world.
9. He wants to make others appear inferior.
10. He seeks his own dominion over all.
He is attached to his body-self and has to endure much if he is to establish it. He possesses a firm resolve, yet, the resolve of such a one is rajsic in character.
A sattvic dhriti or resolve:
a) activates the individual in selfless deeds;
b) involves the individual in selfless worship;
c) endows the individual with selfless knowledge;
d) does not allow the individual to ask the Lord for anything. Such a one endeavours instead to return the body-self to the Lord – the body which was actually His.
Such a one beseeches the Lord to give of Himself to His devotee – this pleading is for his Lord.
One who possesses rajsic dhriti or determination:
a) seeks everything for his personal self;
b) seeks everything for the fulfilment of his likes and pleasure;
c) seeks even the Lord for his personal satiation;
d) is intrinsically selfish – no matter how firm his resolve may be;
e) remains egoistic – no matter how much adversity he is able to endure. The determined resolve of such a one is that of an unsatiated, avaricious being.
– Such a one is said to be of rajsic determination.
