Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 32

English Translation

O Parhta, that intellect is born of tamas which, being covered by darkness, considers vice as virtue, and verily perceives all things contrary ot what they are.

Detailed Commentary

Those who consider adharma as dharma are veiled by Tamoguna. To slander Ishvara, to act against the maryada of Shastra, Varna, Ashrama, and society, to not treat parents well, to insult Sant-Mahatmas, Guru-Acharyas, to consider sinful actions such as falsehood, deceit, dishonesty, forgery, impure food, and relations with another's wife (parastri) as dharma – this is considering adharma as dharma. To disregard shastriya actions such as observing the maryada of one's own Shastra, Varna, and Ashrama, obeying and serving parents, living according to the teachings of Sant-Mahatmas, studying religious texts, serving and benefiting others, and consuming pure and sacred food – this is considering dharma as adharma. People with Tamasic buddhi think that Shastrakaras and Brahmanas created rules to glorify themselves, which led to India's enslavement. They believe that as long as these Shastras and religious books exist, India will not be able to progress. Therefore, they consider breaking maryada itself as dharma. *Sarvarthanviparitanshcha* – Considering the body as the true self (Svarupa) instead of the Atma, considering the visible world as real instead of Ishvara, considering oneself great by belittling others, considering one's own beliefs superior to those of Sant-Mahatmas, considering temporary pleasures available in the present as true happiness instead of true happiness, considering an action that should not be done as one's duty (kartavya), considering the impure as pure – this is considering all things in reverse. *Buddhih Sa Partha Tamasi* – The intellect that considers adharma as dharma, dharma as adharma, and good as bad, that is Tamasic buddhi. This very Tamasic buddhi leads a person towards degradation (adhogati). Therefore, for one's upliftment (uddhar), it should be abandoned. Now the Lord describes the characteristics of Sattvika Dhriti.