Gita 18.31
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
यया धर्ममधर्मं च कार्यं चाकार्यमेव च । अयथावत्प्रजानाति बुद्धिः सा पार्थ राजसी ॥३१॥
yayā dharmam adharmaṃ ca kāryaṃ cākāryam eva ca | ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||31||
In essence: The rajasic intellect lives in confusion—it perceives dharma and adharma, right and wrong, but always slightly off, always distorted by desire and self-interest.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "How do I know if my understanding is rajasic? If I'm confused, I might not even know I'm confused."
Guru: "An excellent point, and the very asking of it suggests some sattvic potential. Signs of rajasic intellect include: your conclusions consistently serve your self-interest; you find justifications for what you wanted to do anyway; others whose wisdom you trust see your decisions differently; you feel defensive when your reasoning is questioned; your understanding shifts when your desires shift. If you recognize these patterns, you've begun to see the rajasic distortion."
Sadhak: "Is all self-interested thinking rajasic?"
Guru: "Not necessarily. Sattvic intellect can recognize legitimate self-interest as part of dharma—taking care of health, earning livelihood, developing capacities. What makes understanding rajasic is when self-interest distorts perception of what is actually right. The sattvic intellect sees clearly and may choose appropriate self-care; the rajasic intellect's seeing itself is corrupted by desire, so that wrong appears right when convenient."
Sadhak: "How do I move from rajasic to sattvic understanding?"
Guru: "First, sincerely desire truth more than comfort. Be willing to see what is, even when inconvenient. Second, seek external checks: teachers, scriptures, wise friends who can reflect your blind spots. Third, cultivate practices that quiet desire: meditation, simplicity, service without personal agenda. As rajas subsides, the intellect's natural clarity can emerge."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Before decisions, ask: 'Is there any way self-interest might be coloring my perception here? What would I conclude if my desires were different?' This simple check begins to loosen rajas' grip on understanding.
When you find yourself constructing justifications, pause. Notice: 'Am I reasoning toward truth or toward what I want?' Be honest. If you catch rajasic distortion in action, name it. Even without immediately changing course, the seeing itself is purifying.
Review significant decisions: 'Where did self-interest influence my understanding today? Where might I have seen dharma and adharma incorrectly because of desire?' Honest assessment, without excessive guilt but with genuine seeing, gradually clarifies the intellect.