← Chapter 18: The Yoga of Liberation through Renunciation

Verse 18.25

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् | मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ||२५||

Transliteration (IAST)

anubandhaṁ kṣayaṁ hiṁsām anapekṣya ca pauruṣam | mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam ucyate ||25||

Word-by-Word Meanings

anubandham-consequence

kṣayam-loss/destruction

hiṁsām-injury/violence

anapekṣya-without considering

pauruṣam-one's own capacity

mohāt-from delusion

ārabhyate-is undertaken

tāmasam-in the mode of ignorance

Translation

Action undertaken from delusion, without considering consequences, loss, injury to others, or one's own capacity - that is declared to be tamasic.

Commentary

Tamasic action is reckless and deluded, undertaken without regard for harm caused to oneself or others. Shankaracharya emphasizes that 'anapekṣya' (without considering) reveals the fundamental irresponsibility of tamasic action - it ignores consequences, capacity, and ethics. Ramanuja notes this includes actions driven by blind rage, obstinacy, or willful ignorance.

Themes

karmadharma