Bhagavad Gita · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Modes of Nature

Chapter 14, Verse 8

"Bhagavad Gita 14.8" — meaning and explanation.

Meaning

14.8 But know thou Tamas to be born of ignorance, deluding all embodied beings; it binds fast, O Arjuna, by heedlessness, indolence and sleep.

।।14.8।। और हे भारत ! तमोगुण को अज्ञान से उत्पन्न जानो; जो समस्त देहधारियों (जीवों) को मोहित करने वाला है। वह प्रमाद, आलस्य और निद्रा के द्वारा जीव को बांधता है।।

Explanation

14.8 तमः inertia? तु but? अज्ञानजम् born of ignorance? विद्धि know? मोहनम् deluding? सर्वदेहिनाम् to all,embodied beings? प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिः by heedlessness? indolence and sleep? तत् that? निबध्नाति binds fast? भारत O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna).Commentary Tamas is that binding force with a tendency to lethargy? sloth and foolish actions. It causes delusion or nondiscrimination. It binds him who associates the Self with the body. A Tamasic man acts under the compulsion of the wants of the body. He has no power of judgment. Troubled by the wants of the body he acts under pressure to keep himself alive. His actions are not guided by reason. They are on the plane of instinct. His senses are dull. He becomes infatuated and stupefied. He has no inclination to work. He yawns much. He sleeps too much. He always wants to sleep. He nevr knows when and how to act? what? to whom and how to talk. He takes delight in following the wrong path. He does not know how to behave or how to address others. He is thoughtless and ignorant. He forgets everything. He is negligent and indolent. He is just in a stage higher than lifeless matter.He who is under the grip of heedlessness (Pramada) is not able to discriminate between the eternal and the noneternal. This is an enemy of illumination? the effect of Sattva. He who is overpowered by laziness (Alasya) is not able to exert. This is an enemy of Pravritti? the effect of Rajas. Sleep (Nidra) is LayaVritti? (a state of absorption into ignorance) which is dependent on Tamas. This is the enemy of the works done by Sattva and Rajas.

Life Lesson

Study Bhagavad Gita 14.8 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.

Context

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, verse 8, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.

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