In Bhagavad Gita 18.25, Krishna says action begun through delusion, without regard to consequences, loss, injury to others or one’s own ability, is called tamasic.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसाम्
अनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम्
मोहादारभ्यते कर्म
यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ॥ १८-२५ ॥
anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsām
anapekṣya ca pauruṣam
mohādārabhyate karma
yattattāmasamucyate
English transliteration anubandham kshayam himsaam
anapekshya cha paurusham
mohaadaarabhyate karma
yattattaamasamuchyate ॥ 18.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Action that is undertaken through delusion, without regard to consequences, loss, injury to others or one’s own capacity, is said to be tamasic.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अनुबन्धम् anubandham | consequences |
| क्षयम् kṣayam | loss |
| हिंसाम् hiṃsām | injury |
| अनपेक्ष्य anapekṣya | without regard |
| च ca | and |
| पौरुषम् pauruṣam | one’s own capacity |
| मोहात् mohāt | through delusion |
| आरभ्यते ārabhyate | is undertaken |
| कर्म karma | action |
| यत् yat | which |
| तत् tat | that |
| तामसम् tāmasam | tamasic |
| उच्यते ucyate | is said |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–nu–ban–dhaṃ kṣa–yaṃ hiṃ–sām– 8 syllables a-nu-ban-dham ksha-yam him-saam-
- a–na–pekṣ–ya ca pau–ru–ṣam | 8 syllables a-na-peksh-ya cha pau-ru-sham
- mo–hā–dā–rabh–ya–te kar–ma 8 syllables mo-haa-daa-rabh-ya-te kar-ma
- yat–tat–tā–ma–sa–muc–ya–te || 18-25 8 syllables yat-tat-taa-ma-sa-much-ya-te
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 25
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of action (18.23–18.25).
Meaning
Tāmasika karma is begun mohāt, out of confusion, anapekṣya, without considering anubandha, consequences; kṣaya, loss; hiṃsā, harm to others; or pauruṣa, one’s actual ability.
Careless, reckless action causes harm. Thinking before acting is a basic discipline of wisdom.
In Practice
Before acting today, pause to consider the consequences, the cost and whether it will harm anyone.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.