Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 8

English Translation

On the other hand, know tamas, which deludes all embodied beings, to be born of ignorance. O scion of the Bharata dynasty, that binds through inadvertence, laziness and sleep.

Detailed Commentary

Know Tamas as the delusion born of ignorance. It casts all embodied beings into delusion, thereby obscuring the knowledge of truth and untruth, duty and non-duty. The influence of Tamas is so profound that it prevents individuals from even engaging in worldly pleasures and enjoyments, let alone Sattvic joy. This is truly for humans, because other creatures are naturally engrossed in Tamas. Due to the absence of knowledge of truth and untruth, such individuals, though human, become like other creatures. This quality of Tamas binds everyone through Pramāda (carelessness/negligence), Ālasya (laziness), and Nidrā (sleep). Pramāda means not performing the right action and performing the wrong action. Ālasya means merely sleeping or sitting idly without purpose. Nidrā can be essential or non-essential; it is necessary for removing bodily fatigue. The effect of Tamas obstructs human beings' worldly and spiritual progress. The three gunas — Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — bind individuals in different ways. Sattva binds through attachment to happiness and knowledge; Rajas through attachment to action; and Tamas through its inherent characteristic. If there is no attachment to these gunas, they do not bind a person; rather, they aid in the attainment of the Supreme Self (Paramātmā). Only by attaining the Gunātīta state (transcendence of gunas) can one achieve liberation from the bondage of these gunas.