Chapter 14 Verse 8
Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yog
तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम्।प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत।।14.8।।
tamas tv ajñāna-jaṁ viddhi mohanaṁ sarva-dehinām pramādālasya-nidrābhis tan nibadhnāti bhārata
Word Meanings
| tamaḥ | mode of ignorance |
| tu | but |
| ajñāna-jam | born of ignorance |
| viddhi | know |
| mohanam | illusion |
| sarva-dehinām | for all the embodied souls |
| pramāda | negligence |
| ālasya | laziness |
| nidrābhiḥ | and sleep |
| tat | that |
| nibadhnāti | binds |
| bhārata | Arjun, the son of Bharat |
Translation
But know thou Tamas to be born of ignorance, deluding all embodied beings; it binds fast, O Arjuna, through heedlessness, indolence, and sleep.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Tamas is the quality of darkness and ignorance that clouds the mind. It creates a false picture of reality and keeps people stuck in confusion and wrong thinking.
This darkness binds us through simple habits: carelessness, lack of effort, and using sleep or avoidance to escape problems. These habits make it hard to see truth or act with purpose.
Spiritually, being bound by tamas means losing freedom of choice and living by habit rather than by clear understanding. Recognizing this is the first step to waking up and moving toward clarity (sattva).
Life Application
- Notice small ways you avoid responsibility (procrastination, scrolling, excuses) and replace one with a short, purposeful action each day.
- Build simple routines: short meditation, reading, or focused work to cut through lethargy and increase mental clarity.
- Use rest deliberately: sleep enough, but avoid using sleep or distraction to escape decisions or growth.
Reflection Question
In what area of my life am I choosing comfort over clarity?