Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 14.13 अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च

Sri Krishna Chapter 14, Verse 13 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 14.13

अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च ।
तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन ॥

aprakāśo'pravṛttiśca pramādo moha eva ca |
tamasyetāni jāyante vivṛddhe kurunandana ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

हे कुरुनंदन (कुरुवंश के आनंद अर्जुन), जब तमोगुण बढ़ता है तब मन में अंधकार, निष्क्रियता, प्रमाद और मोह उत्पन्न होते हैं।

Meaning in English

Darkness of mind, inactivity, carelessness and delusion — these arise when tamas increases, O Kurunandana (Arjuna, joy of the Kuru line).

Bhagavad Gita 14.13 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
अप्रकाशःaprakāśaḥdarkness, lack of clarity
अप्रवृत्तिःapravṛttiḥinactivity
चcaand
प्रमादःpramādaḥcarelessness
मोहःmohaḥdelusion
एव चeva caand also
तमसिtamasiwhen tamas
एतानिetānithese
जायन्तेjāyantearise
विवृद्धेvivṛddhehas increased
कुरुनन्दनkurunandanaO joy of the Kurus

Explanation

Darkness of mind, inactivity, carelessness and delusion arise when tamas increases, O joy of the Kurus. These are the signs that tamas has taken over: a foggy mind, a reluctance to act, neglect of duties and confused judgment about right and wrong.

Tamas shows itself as mental fog, a lack of will to act, neglect of duties and confused thinking. It is the opposite of both sattva's clarity and rajas's drive. Commentators note that delusion here means mistaking wrong for right. The three diagnostic verses together give a simple framework for self-observation that teachers still use today.

भावार्थ

हे कुरुनन्दन! तमोगुण के बढ़ने पर अप्रकाश (अन्धकार), अप्रवृत्ति, प्रमाद और मोह — ये उत्पन्न होते हैं। मन की धुंध और आलस्य तमोगुण के चिह्न हैं। ऐसे समय कुछ भी करने का मन नहीं होता।

Living it today

Brain fog and endless postponing are signals, not character flaws. Better sleep, lighter food and small steps can lift them.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 14.13?

Darkness of mind, inactivity, carelessness and delusion arise when tamas increases, O joy of the Kurus. These are the signs that tamas has taken over: a foggy mind, a reluctance to act, neglect of duties and confused judgment about right and wrong.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.13?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 14 (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 14.13 in daily life?

Brain fog and endless postponing are signals, not character flaws. Better sleep, lighter food and small steps can lift them.

Reflected on verse 14.13?

Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.