Verse 14.7

Verse 14.7: “Understand the Rajas to be compact of (all) passions, (and) the source of longing and attachment; it fetters-down the Body-owner, O Son of Kunti, by fondness for actions. (160)

Commentary called Jnaneshwari by Jnaneshwar:

It is called Rajas as it amuses the soul and keeps ever fresh and strong in him the desires for sense-objects. This Rajas makes a minute entry in him (soul) and getting on the way to sense-objects rides on the high wind of desires (for sense-objects). Just as a sacrificial fire in the receptacle, when soaked with clarified butter and full of live coal in it, bursts into a mighty blaze, in that way, the desires for senseobjects get wild and then the sense-objects even though mixed (tainted) with misery are felt sweet, even the glory (and wealth) of God Indra is looked upon as inadequate and rather trifling. With the greed (thirst) inflamed, (he is not satisfied) even if the mountain Meru falls into his hands, and says that he will even resort to any dreadful thing (to satisfy his greed). He gets prepared even to wave his very life, treating it like a cowrie, (kavaḍī—smallest coin) and considers the object of (his) life to be fully accomplished were he to secure even a straw. He extends the scope of his dealings with extraordinary zeal, to provide for the morrow, not caring if all he possessed today were squandered that very day.

He says,

“It is alright to go to Heaven, but on what to live after going there, and for this he makes haste, arranging for performance of sacrifices to be able to provide for the days of stay in Heaven.”

He takes to religious observances and vows one after another, undertakes sacrifices and the construction of works of public weal, but would not touch (perform) a single act unless it be fruit-motived. The strong wind blowing at the close of the Grishma season (summer, about the end of July), Oh Warrior, knows no rest; in that way he does not mind if it is night or day time while rushing through business. The movements of the fish in the water, or the fickleness of the leer of a youthful woman or the flashing of the lightning would not even be as subtle and quick as the hurry and bustle of the being filled with desires.

With such extraordinary haste he rushes headlong into the fire of activism out of covetuous[?] longing for the enjoyment of sense-objects, in this world as also in Heaven. In this way the embodied soul although himself entirely distinct from body, gets himself chained with the fetters of longing and desires and carries the big load of worldly dealings around his neck. And thus the embodied soul is tied down by the dreadful bondage of the Rajas Guna. Now hear about the binding power of Tamas.