Sloka 110
Sloka 110
Original Text:
कामः क्रोधो लोभदम्भाद्यसूया अहंकारेर्ष्यामत्सराद्यास्तु घोराः । धर्मा एते राजसाः पुम्प्रवृत्तिः यस्मादेषा तद्रजो बन्धहेतुः ॥ ११२ ॥
Certainly! Here is the analysis of the given sloka:
- **Transliteration**:
kāmaḥ krodho lobhadambhādyasūyā ahaṃkārerṣyāmatsarādyāstu ghorāḥ | dharmā ete rājasāḥ pumpravṛttiḥ yasmādeṣā tadrajo bandhahetuḥ || 112 ||
- **Translation**:
Lust, anger, greed, hypocrisy, jealousy, ego, and hatred are fierce qualities. These are the rajasic tendencies in humans, serving as the cause of bondage due to their origin in rajas.
- **Word Meanings**:
* kāmaḥ - lust * krodhaḥ - anger * lobha - greed * dambha - hypocrisy * adya - etc. * asūyā - jealousy * ahaṃkāra - ego * īrṣyā - envy * matsara - hatred * ādyāḥ - etc. * tu - but, indeed * ghorāḥ - fierce * dharmāḥ - traits, qualities * ete - these * rājasāḥ - of rajas * pumpravṛttiḥ - human tendencies * yasmāt - from which * eṣā - these * tat - that * rajaḥ - rajas * bandhahetuḥ - cause of bondage
- **Commentary**:
This sloka reflects on certain negative qualities that arise from the rajasic nature described in Vedantic and Yogic texts. The qualities mentioned—lust, anger, greed, hypocrisy, and others—are seen as obstacles on the spiritual path. They are labeled as "ghorāḥ" or fierce due to their tendency to disturb the mind and obscure its ability to discern truth, leading to what is termed 'bandha' or bondage.
Rajas, one of the three gunas or fundamental qualities of nature, is characterized by activity, dynamism, and passion. When predominant in a person, it propels desires and actions centered around personal gains and ambitions, thus creating attachments and leading to the cycle of karma, which binds the soul.
The remedy suggested by these texts to counteract such rajasic influences is to cultivate sattva—qualities of purity, knowledge, and harmony—through practices like meditation, selfless service, and study of scriptures. Thus, this sloka encourages one to recognize these limiting traits and work towards transcendence by adopting a disciplined and virtuous lifestyle.
Further Readings: