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