Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.19 मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः
श्लोक 17.19
मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः ।
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ |
parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो तप मूर्खतापूर्ण हठ से, अपने को पीड़ा देकर, या किसी दूसरे का नाश करने के लिए किया जाता है, वह तामसी कहा गया है।
Meaning in English
Austerity performed out of foolish stubbornness, by torturing oneself, or in order to harm another, is declared to be tamasic.
Bhagavad Gita 17.19 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मूढग्राहेण | mūḍha-grāheṇa | out of foolish obstinacy |
| आत्मनः | ātmanaḥ | of oneself |
| यत् | yat | which |
| पीडया | pīḍayā | with torture |
| क्रियते | kriyate | is performed |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| परस्य | parasya | of another |
| उत्सादनार्थम् | utsādana-artham | for the purpose of ruining |
| वा | vā | or |
| तत् | tat | that |
| तामसम् | tāmasam | tamasic |
| उदाहृतम् | udāhṛtam | is declared |
Explanation
Austerity performed out of foolish obstinacy, by torturing oneself, or for the purpose of harming another, is declared tamasic. This is the lowest kind of austerity, and the most dangerous: driven by stubborn delusion, it either injures the practitioner or aims to injure someone else.
Mūḍha-grāha means a deluded fixed idea, an obstinate notion clung to without discernment. Shankara gives the example of austerities undertaken to bring about another's destruction, as through hostile rites. The verse connects back to 17.5–6, where self-torment was condemned. Commentators observe that tamasic tapas turns the very tool of purification into a weapon. Many modern readers apply it to any self-destructive or vengeful discipline.
भावार्थ
जो तप मूर्खतापूर्ण हठ से, अपने को पीड़ा देकर या दूसरों का नाश करने के लिए किया जाता है, वह तामसी कहा गया है। ऐसा तप शुद्धि का साधन न रहकर हानि का हथियार बन जाता है।
Living it today
Never let discipline turn into self-harm or a weapon against others. If a practice is hurting you or aimed at hurting someone, stop and reconsider.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.19?
Austerity performed out of foolish obstinacy, by torturing oneself, or for the purpose of harming another, is declared tamasic. This is the lowest kind of austerity, and the most dangerous: driven by stubborn delusion, it either injures the practitioner or aims to injure someone else.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.19?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.19 in daily life?
Never let discipline turn into self-harm or a weapon against others. If a practice is hurting you or aimed at hurting someone, stop and reconsider.
Reflected on verse 17.19?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.