Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.25 अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम्
श्लोक 18.25
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् ।
मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ॥
anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanapekṣya ca pauruṣam |
mohādārabhyate karma yattattāmasamucyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो कर्म परिणाम, हानि, दूसरों को होने वाली हिंसा और अपनी सामर्थ्य का विचार किए बिना, मोहवश आरंभ किया जाता है, वह तामसी कहलाता है।
Meaning in English
Action begun out of delusion, without regard for its consequences, loss, harm to others or one's own capacity, is called tamasic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.25 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अनुबन्धम् | anubandham | consequence |
| क्षयम् | kṣayam | loss |
| हिंसाम् | hiṃsām | harm, injury |
| अनपेक्ष्य | anapekṣya | without considering |
| च | ca | and |
| पौरुषम् | pauruṣam | one's own capacity |
| मोहात् | mohāt | out of delusion |
| आरभ्यते | ārabhyate | is begun |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| यत् | yat | which |
| तत् | tat | that |
| तामसम् | tāmasam | tamasic |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is called |
Explanation
Action begun in delusion, without thinking about its consequences, the loss it may cause, the harm it may do to others, or one's own ability to carry it through, is called tamasic. It is careless, reckless action that does not look before it leaps.
Shankara glosses anubandha as the result that follows, kṣaya as loss of strength or wealth, and hiṃsā as injury to living beings. Ramanuja reads pauruṣa as one's actual capacity to complete the act. The verse makes thoughtfulness itself an ethical duty: ignoring the effects of one's actions is a fault even without bad intent. Many readers apply it today to rash decisions in public and private life.
भावार्थ
जो कर्म परिणाम, हानि, हिंसा और अपनी सामर्थ्य का विचार किए बिना केवल मोहवश आरम्भ किया जाता है, वह तामस कहा जाता है।
Living it today
Before starting something big, ask three questions: what follows from this, who could be hurt, and can I actually finish it?
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.25?
Action begun in delusion, without thinking about its consequences, the loss it may cause, the harm it may do to others, or one's own ability to carry it through, is called tamasic. It is careless, reckless action that does not look before it leaps.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.25?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.25 in daily life?
Before starting something big, ask three questions: what follows from this, who could be hurt, and can I actually finish it?
Reflected on verse 18.25?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.