Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.22 यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम्
श्लोक 18.22
यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् ।
अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
yattu kṛtsnavadekasminkārye saktamahaitukam |
atattvārthavadalpaṃ ca tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो ज्ञान किसी एक ही चीज़ को सब कुछ मानकर उसी में चिपका रहता है, जो तर्कहीन है, सत्य को नहीं समझता और संकीर्ण है, वह तामसी कहा गया है।
Meaning in English
The knowledge that clings to one single thing as if it were the whole, without reason, without grasping the truth, and narrow, is declared to be tamasic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.22 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यत् | yat | which |
| तु | tu | but |
| कृत्स्नवत् | kṛtsnavat | as if it were the whole |
| एकस्मिन् | ekasmin | to one |
| कार्ये | kārye | effect, thing |
| सक्तम् | saktam | attached |
| अहैतुकम् | ahaitukam | without reason |
| अतत्त्वार्थवत् | atattvārthavat | without grasp of the truth |
| अल्पम् | alpam | narrow, petty |
| च | ca | and |
| तत् | tat | that |
| तामसम् | tāmasam | tamasic |
| उदाहृतम् | udāhṛtam | is called |
Explanation
The knowledge that clings to one small thing as if it were the whole, without reason, without regard for truth, and narrow in scope, is called tamasic. It fixes on a fragment, refuses to look further and mistakes a corner of reality for all of it.
Shankara gives the example of someone who takes the body or an idol alone as the Self or God, without reflection. Ramanuja reads kārya as a particular object or act seized on obsessively. Many modern commentators find here a description of fanaticism and closed-mindedness: knowledge that has stopped inquiring. The sequence of 18.20 to 18.22 moves from unity, to fragmentation, to fixation.
भावार्थ
जो ज्ञान किसी एक ही वस्तु में उसे सम्पूर्ण मानकर आसक्त रहता है, जो युक्तिरहित, तत्त्व से रहित और संकीर्ण है, वह तामस कहा गया है।
Living it today
Be wary of any view that will not bear questions. Narrow certainty is often the dullest kind of knowing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.22?
The knowledge that clings to one small thing as if it were the whole, without reason, without regard for truth, and narrow in scope, is called tamasic. It fixes on a fragment, refuses to look further and mistakes a corner of reality for all of it.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.22?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.22 in daily life?
Be wary of any view that will not bear questions. Narrow certainty is often the dullest kind of knowing.
Reflected on verse 18.22?
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