Know that activity is of the nature of passion, born of thirst and attachment; it binds the embodied one, O son of Kuntī!, through attachment to action.

Rajas is characterized by rāga — passion, attraction, desire. Its origin is tṛṣṇā — thirst — and saṅga — attachment to objects.

Karma-saṅga — attachment to action — binds through identification with doing. The rajasic person defines themselves by their activities and achievements.

While sattva leads toward liberation, rajas perpetuates saṃsāra through constant doing. The wheel of action and reaction turns without rest.