Chapter XVIII · Śloka 24
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः ।
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥
yat tu kāmepsunā karma sāhaṃkāreṇa vā punaḥ |
kriyate bahulāyāsaṃ tad rājasam udāhṛtam ||
kriyate bahulāyāsaṃ tad rājasam udāhṛtam ||
But action performed with great effort by one who seeks to fulfill desires, or by one impelled by ego — that is called rājasika.
Rājasika action is driven by the fuel of desire and ego. The exertion involved is motivated by personal gain or self-assertion, which entangles rather than frees.