Bhagavad Gita · Verse 17.19
Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (श्रद्धात्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः । परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥१९॥
mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ | parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam ||19||
Complete Shloka Translation
Austerity practiced with deluded obstinacy, by tormenting oneself or for another's destruction, is called tamasic.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| पीडा | pīḍā | pain or torment |
| मूढ | mūḍha | deluded |
| मूढग्राहेणात्मनो | mūḍhagrāheṇātmano | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| यत्पीडया | yatpīḍayā | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| क्रियते | kriyate | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| तपः | tapaḥ | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| परस्योत्सादनार्थं | parasyotsādanārthaṃ | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| वा | vā | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् | tattāmasamudāhṛtam | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
| १९ | tattāmasamudāhṛtam | [term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud... |
pain or torment
deluded
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
[term] in context of Austerity practiced with delud...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Severity alone gives no spiritual value to a practice. Harmful intent and self-torment are explicitly criticized.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Does a difficult practice cultivate wisdom or merely inflict harm?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Does a difficult practice cultivate wisdom or merely inflict harm?
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.