Chapter 18 Verse 39
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
यदग्रे चानुबन्धे च सुखं मोहनमात्मनः।निद्रालस्यप्रमादोत्थं तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।18.39।।
yad agre chānubandhe cha sukhaṁ mohanam ātmanaḥ nidrālasya-pramādotthaṁ tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
Word Meanings
| yat | which |
| agre | from beginning |
| cha | and |
| anubandhe | to end |
| cha | and |
| sukham | happiness |
| mohanam | illusory |
| ātmanaḥ | of the self |
| nidrā | sleep |
| ālasya | indolence |
| pramāda | negligence |
| uttham | derived from |
| tat | that |
| tāmasam | in the mode of ignorance |
| udāhṛitam | is said to be |
Translation
That happiness which at first, as well as in the end, deludes the self, and which arises from sleep, indolence, and heedlessness—that is declared to be Tamasic.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse points to a kind of happiness that fools you both at the start and at the end. It looks attractive at first, but it fails to support real growth and leaves you the same or worse later. The Gita calls this tamasic — born of ignorance and inertia.
Spiritually, such pleasure comes from sleep, laziness, and carelessness. It dulls awareness, prevents right action, and keeps you tied to habits and avoidance instead of moving toward clarity and freedom. True inner peace grows from wakefulness, responsible effort, and clear vision, not from escape.
Practically, the verse warns that not all comfort is good. If comfort comes by closing down your heart and mind, it is binding rather than liberating.
Life Application
- Notice when a choice is made to avoid work or growth (extra sleep, constant distractions, overeating); name it and pause before following it.
- Replace avoidance with small, clear actions: a short walk, one focused task, or a brief mindful breath to break inertia.
- Allow rest, but make it mindful rest—set limits so relaxation refreshes you instead of trapping you.
Reflection Question
Which comforts am I using to avoid a truth or task I need to face?