Here, Krishna speaks about the nature of rajas, one of the three gunas (qualities) that influence human behaviour and consciousness. He describes rajas as the mode characterized by passion, giving rise to desires and attachments. He explains that rajas bind the embodied self (jivatma) by fostering attachment to the fruits of action (karmaphala) and engendering an incessant pursuit of worldly pleasures.

Krishna addresses Arjuna as "Kaunteya," indicating his lineage as the son of Kunti, to emphasize the importance of understanding this fundamental aspect of human nature. By recognizing the influence of rajas, Arjuna can gain insight into the forces driving human behaviour and the obstacles on the path of spiritual evolution.

Rajas is depicted as the quality that generates thirst (tṛṣṇā) for worldly enjoyment and fosters attachment (saṅga) to material possessions and desires. It fuels the relentless pursuit of sensual gratification and the accumulation of wealth and power, leading individuals into the cycle of repeated actions and their consequences.

Krishna warns Arjuna about the binding nature of rajas, which ensnares the embodied self in the web of karmic entanglement. By fostering attachment to the fruits of action, rajas perpetuates the cycle of birth and death (samsara), keeping individuals bound to the material realm and preventing them from attaining spiritual liberation (moksha).

The term "karmasaṅgena" refers to attachment to action, indicating how rajas influences individuals to become engrossed in the performance of actions driven by desire and ambition. This attachment creates bondage (nibadhnati) for the embodied self, compelling it to undergo the cycle of birth and death in pursuit of worldly aspirations.

Overall, this verse highlights the significance of understanding the influence of rajas on human behaviour and spiritual evolution. By recognizing the nature of passion and desire, individuals can strive to transcend the binding influence of rajas and progress on the path of self-realization and liberation. Through self-awareness and spiritual discernment, one can cultivate detachment from the fruits of action and attain inner freedom from the shackles of material bondage.