पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् |
वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम् || 21||
pṛthaktvēna tu yajjñānaṃ nānābhāvānpṛthagvidhān ।
vētti sarvēṣu bhūtēṣu tajjñānaṃ viddhi rājasam ॥ 21 ॥
किंतु जो ज्ञान अर्थात् जिस ज्ञान के द्वारा मनुष्य सम्पूर्ण भूतों में भिन्न-भिन्न प्रकार के नाना भावों को अलग-अलग जानता है, उस ज्ञान को तू राजस जान ।
However, Partha, if one can only see the multitude of things in this world in terms of their limitations and divisions, then this being possesses the impure knowledge of the Rajas mode of nature. (This passionately natured person possesses knowledge that is derived from many theories, teachings, mental logic, and speculation that exist in this world).
यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् |
अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् || 22||
yattu kṛtsnavadēkasminkāryē saktamahaitukam ।
atattvārthavadalpaṃ cha tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥ 22 ॥
परन्तु जो ज्ञान एक कार्य रूप शरीर में ही सम्पूर्ण के सदृश आसक्त्त है तथा जो बिना युक्त्ति वाला, तात्विक अर्थ से रहित और तुच्छ है —- वह तामस कहा गया है |
However dear Arjuna, if one selfishly views one particular thing (namely the body) as if it is all and everything that is to be concerned about, the knowledge he possesses does not allow him to see beyond the perishable objects and beings in this world. He considers himself the one and only, independent, and seperate from all other beings in this world.
नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषत: कृतम् |
अफलप्रेप्सुना कर्म यतत्सात्त्विकमुच्यते || 23||
niyataṃ saṅgarahitamarāgadvēṣataḥ kṛtam ।
aphalaprēpsunā karma yattatsāttvikamuchyatē ॥ 23 ॥
जो कर्म शास्त्र विधि से नियत किया हुआ और कर्तापन के अभिमान से रहित हो तथा फल न चाहने वाले पुरुष द्वारा बिना राग-द्बेष के किया गया हो, वह सात्विक कहा जाता है ।
The Blessed Lord explained: When work is done as if it were a sacred task, Without any selfish, motives, with a peaceful mind, without any feelings of lust and hate, and without any desire for rewards, I consider this work to be pure and SATTVIC.
यत्तुकामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुन: |
क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् || 24||
yattu kāmēpsunā karma sāhaṅkārēṇa vā punaḥ ।
kriyatē bahulāyāsaṃ tadrājasamudāhṛtam ॥ 24 ॥
परन्तु जो कर्म बहुत परिश्रम से युक्त्त होता है तथा भोगों को चाहने वाले पुरुष द्वारा या अहंकार युक्त्त पुरुष द्वारा किया जाता है, वह कर्म राजस कहा गया है ।
But when any task is completed with selfish desires in mind, looked upon as an effort and nothing more, looked upon as if it was a great sacrifice to have completed a task, this type of work is impure and only performed by Rajas-natured people.
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् |
मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यतत्तामसमुच्यते || 25||
anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanapēkṣya cha pauruṣam ।
mōhādārabhyatē karma yattattāmasamuchyatē ॥ 25 ॥
जो कर्म परिणाम, हानि, हिंसा और सामर्थ्य को न विचार कर केवल अज्ञान से आरम्भ किया जाता है, वह तामस कहा जाता है ।
The work which one completes with a confused mind and deluded intelligence, without any cares about the horrible consequences that might result from his selfish tasks; work that is done without concern for the bondage that it creates for the performer; work done without any heed to injury or harm that might come to others because of one’s (evil) actions; or work accomplished without worrying about one’s own loss; these are work done out of darkness by those who are known as Tamsic-natured people.