Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.8
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम् । प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत ॥८॥
tamastvajñānajaṃ viddhi mohanaṃ sarvadehinām | pramādālasyanidrābhistannibadhnāti bhārata ||8||
Complete Shloka Translation
Know tamas to arise from ignorance and to bewilder all embodied beings. Bharata, it binds through negligence, laziness and sleep.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रमाद | pramāda | negligence |
| आलस्य | ālasya | laziness |
| तमस्त्वज्ञानजं | tamastvajñānajaṃ | [term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor... |
| विद्धि | viddhi | [term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor... |
| मोहनं | mohanaṃ | [term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor... |
| सर्वदेहिनाम् | sarvadehinām | [term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor... |
| प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति | pramādālasyanidrābhistannibadhnāti | [term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor... |
| भारत | bhārata | [term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor... |
negligence
laziness
[term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor...
[term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor...
[term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor...
[term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor...
[term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor...
[term] in context of Know tamas to arise from ignor...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Tamas obscures understanding through the tendencies named here. Sleep appears in the account of bondage; the verse does not require abandoning ordinary necessary rest.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Notice when inattention prevents you from responding thoughtfully."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
When does inattention prevent a thoughtful response?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.