Shree Krishna now explains the working of
rajo guṇa
, and how it binds the soul to material existence. The Patañjali Yog Darśhan describes material activity as the primary manifestation of
rajo guṇa
. Here, Shree Krishna describes its principal manifestation as attachment and desire.
The mode of passion fuels the lust for sensual enjoyment. It inflames desires for mental and physical pleasures. It also promotes attachment to worldly things. Persons influenced by
rajo guṇa
get engrossed in worldly pursuits of status, prestige, career, family, and home. They look on these as sources of pleasure and are motivated to undertake intense activity for the sake of these. In this way, the mode of passion increases desires, and these desires further fuel an increase of the mode of passion. They both nourish each other and trap the soul in worldly life.
The way to break out of this is to engage in
karm
yog
, i.e. to begin offering the results of one’s activities to God. This creates detachment from the world, and pacifies the effect of
rajo guṇa
.