Rituals for rewards

kāmātmānaḥ svargaparā janmakarmaphalapradāmkriyāviśeṣabahulāṃ bhogaiśvaryagatiṃ prati

Driven by desire, set on heaven, they perform many rites for pleasure and power, which lead only to more birth.

What it means

Krishna continues. These people are full of desire, aiming at heaven. They perform elaborate rites to gain pleasure and power. But such karma, action driven by wanting, only keeps them on the wheel of birth and rebirth. They get rewards, and then want more.

The story

Krishna isn't mocking anyone. He's describing a trap every human knows. We work for the next reward, then the next. Arjuna has just said he doesn't want kingdoms or pleasures. Krishna is showing him a freedom deeper than giving up, one that doesn't need rewards at all.

In your life

Picture someone who gets the promotion, the bigger house, the better car, and still feels restless. Each reward leads to another wanting. Notice one thing you're chasing. Ask, what am I hoping it will give me?