MONDAY MUSINGS SEASON 2 - EPISODE 359
30th March 2026
Three actions of passion
यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहङ्कारेण वा पुनः । क्रियते बहुलायासं तद्राजसमुदाहृतम् ॥ Bhagavad Gita 18.24॥
This verse gives the list of rajasic actions ie passionate (but not ideal) actions.
The beauty of Sanskrit is that a single word can have multiple meanings, and, similarly, multiple words can appear appropriate for a given meaning. Correct mapping depends on the context.
Three types of actions are described in this verse as ‘passionate actions’. They are kama-ipsuna, ahankarena & Bahula-aayasam. Different interpretations of this sloka give different translations. I shall give the most appropriate translation of these actions.
Kama-ipsuna – Desirous of longing, we all have desires. It is not uncommon to have desires, but it becomes an issue when it transforms into longing. Actions for ‘longing’ are illogical and unwanted.
Ahankarena – The only possible meaning is ‘with ego’
Bahula-aayasam – Some translate this as ‘strenuous efforts’. Hard work can never be an issue. Aayasam also means stress. When an activity is performed under stress, it often becomes illogical & wasteful, even if a lot of effort is invested in the action.
Hence, the most meaningful translation of this verse is
That action, which is done by one with longing for gains, especially for personal gains or done with egoism or stressfully, is said to be RAJASIC (Passionate)
Rajasic actions are not efficient and hence are unlikely to yield the desired results.
Three things to avoid in our actions are Actions to fulfil lust, actions with ego, and performing under stress.
Do you desire or long? (there is a big difference)
Desire is a focused, often objective want for material things or specific outcomes, driven by external acquisition. Longing is a deeper, more emotional, or melancholic, subjective yearning, often for someone loved, a past time, or personal growth.
A dictionary definition of longing is a “strong, persistent desire or craving, especially for something unattainable or distant. Longing, at its core, is about insecurity and hopelessness.
Longing is also about giving up the power. Getting back to desire from a place of longing requires strength and hope. Rekindling desire is about taking responsibility for where I have given up power and reclaiming it. I am responsible for my own needs, wants and desires.”
Desire can be a passing wish, whereas longing is usually deeper, lasting, and filled with feelings of separation.
Desire is desirable, but longing is lousy.
Is hard work harmful?
We often fall into the trap of thinking that just because something is strenuous – moving to another home, building a business, or learning a new job - stress is a given.
Hard work need not be stressful. Hard work makes you tired. It's physical and mental exhaustion, but it need not be stressful. Stress is emotional. It's driven by ego, fear, and a need for validation.
Hard work is the physical or mental exertion that results in productive exhaustion and satisfaction, whereas Stress is the emotional, anxious response to feeling overwhelmed, uncontrollable, or underappreciated, often leading to burnout. Hard work fuels achievement, while stress arises from fear, insecurity, or excessive demands.
Hard work comes from the physical and mental effort it takes to deal with change and achieve the desired outcome. Stress, on the other hand, is optional. Stress and overwhelm come from thoughts about the effort, not the effort itself.
Self-imposed stress and pressure can make the hard work feel even more arduous, negatively impacting performance and leaving you feeling even more discouraged and drained.
Do what you can do in the time it takes to do it and acknowledge what you have accomplished daily or weekly. Over time, you will notice measurable progress. Perhaps the ‘hard work’ will just become ‘work’. And you can do that.
At times, completing and posting MONDAY MUSINGS becomes a pressure but never stressful.
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#PositiveNewsPage
The Indian cricket team won the 2026 T20 championship and, in that process, broke many records. Continuing the discussion on management lessons from this euphoric win;
1. Data + Talent = Dominance
Cricket has evolved into a sophisticated blend of analytics and strategic thinking akin to corporate battles.
India’s tactical decisions during the tournament reflected a strong analytical framework:
· Match-up-based bowling changes
· Data-driven field placements
· Strategic use of bowlers against specific batters
· Predictive analysis of scoring zones
However, data alone cannot win games.
What makes elite teams powerful is their ability to combine analytics with thinking leadership.
The equation is simple:
Data provides insight. Talent provides execution. Leadership provides timing.
Organisations that learn to integrate data intelligence with human creativity gain a powerful competitive advantage.
2. Alignment beats Authority
One of the biggest success factors was the strong alignment between the captain and the coach. Great teams succeed when leaders move in the same direction. Surya’s quote about Gambhir, “He takes two steps, I take two steps”, explains this.
No arguments over team selection between the captain and the coach. High trust translates to faster decisions. Surya emphasised that the duo never had an argument about the team election since they started working together
Final Thoughts
India’s victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is more than a sporting achievement—it is a powerful example of how vision, systems, and leadership philosophy translate into sustained success.
Organizations that focus on talent development, strategic thinking, and long-term capability building will be best positioned to succeed in an increasingly complex and volatile world.
More lessons are possible, but I will put up this as the conclusion.
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Conceived, compiled and posted as a weekly motivational newsletter #MondayMusings every Monday by Jaganathan T (www.authorjaganathan.com)
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PROMOTIONS
