यया तु धर्मकामार्थान् धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन | प्रसङ्गेन फलाकाङ्क्षी धृतिः सा पार्थ राजसी ||
yayā tu dharma-kāmārthān dhṛtyā dhārayate 'rjuna prasaṅgena phalākāṅkṣī dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha rājasī
Translation
But the steadfastness by which one holds fast, through attachment, to dharma, pleasure, and wealth, desiring their fruit — that steadfastness, O Arjuna, is rajasic.
Interpretation
Rajasic dhriti: the will that holds to dharma (virtue), artha (wealth), and kama (pleasure) — not wrongly in themselves — but through attachment (prasangena) and with desire for their fruits (phalakankshi). The rajasic person is indeed steadfast — they work hard, they maintain commitments — but the motivation is ego-driven. They pursue virtue for reputation, wealth for security, pleasure for gratification. This conditional steadfastness serves the ego rather than the Self. It collapses when the expected rewards don't materialize.