Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.35 यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च
श्लोक 18.35
यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च ।
न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥
yayā svapnaṃ bhayaṃ śokaṃ viṣādaṃ madameva ca |
na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे पार्थ! जिस धृति के कारण दुर्बुद्धि मनुष्य नींद, भय, शोक, उदासी और घमंड को नहीं छोड़ पाता, वह तामसी धृति है।
Meaning in English
The steadiness by which a dull-witted person does not let go of sleep, fear, grief, despondency and arrogance, O Partha, is tamasic.
Bhagavad Gita 18.35 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यया | yayā | by which |
| स्वप्नम् | svapnam | sleep |
| भयम् | bhayam | fear |
| शोकम् | śokam | grief |
| विषादम् | viṣādam | dejection |
| मदम् | madam | arrogance |
| एव च | eva ca | and also |
| न विमुञ्चति | na vimuñcati | does not let go of |
| दुर्मेधाः | durmedhāḥ | the dull-witted |
| धृतिः | dhṛtiḥ | resolve |
| सा | sā | that |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O son of Pritha |
| तामसी | tāmasī | tamasic |
Explanation
The resolve by which a dull-minded person will not let go of sleep, fear, grief, dejection and arrogance is tamasic. It is a kind of stubbornness, but it holds on to exactly the states that keep one stuck. The mind keeps returning to the same dark states.
Shankara reads svapna as sleep or sloth, and mada as intoxication with sense objects or pride. Ramanuja takes it the same way. The insight is subtle: even persistence can be misdirected, so that one clings tenaciously to gloom or fear. Modern readers often relate it to patterns of rumination and self-pity that feel impossible to release.
भावार्थ
हे पार्थ, जिस धृति से दुर्बुद्धि मनुष्य नींद, भय, शोक, उदासी और घमण्ड को नहीं छोड़ता, वह तामसी धृति है।
Living it today
Notice where you are holding on to worry, gloom or pride out of habit. Sometimes the bravest act is to let it go.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.35?
The resolve by which a dull-minded person will not let go of sleep, fear, grief, dejection and arrogance is tamasic. It is a kind of stubbornness, but it holds on to exactly the states that keep one stuck. The mind keeps returning to the same dark states.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.35?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.35 in daily life?
Notice where you are holding on to worry, gloom or pride out of habit. Sometimes the bravest act is to let it go.
Reflected on verse 18.35?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.