Rajas

Quality of activity, passion, agitation. One of the three gunas composing prakriti, associated with movement, desire, and dynamism.

Rajas drives action and achievement. It’s necessary for functioning in the world, but in excess produces mental restlessness, excessive ambition, and the inability to rest. A rajasic mind constantly jumps from one object to another.

Yogic practice doesn’t eliminate rajas — energy is needed to practice — but channels it toward the goal of liberation. Gradually, rajas refines into sattva through sustained discipline.