Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.32
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता । सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥३२॥
adharmaṃ dharmamiti yā manyate tamasāvṛtā | sarvārthānviparītāṃśca buddhiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ||32||
Complete Shloka Translation
The understanding covered by darkness that regards adharma as dharma and sees all things in reverse is tamasic, Partha.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तमस् | tamas | mode of darkness and inertia |
| अधर्म | adharma | unrighteous conduct |
| अधर्मं | adharmaṃ | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| धर्ममिति | dharmamiti | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| या | yā | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| मन्यते | manyate | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| तमसावृता | tamasāvṛtā | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च | sarvārthānviparītāṃśca | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| बुद्धिः | buddhiḥ | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| सा | sā | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| पार्थ | pārtha | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| तामसी | tāmasī | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
| ३२ | tāmasī | [term] in context of The understanding covered by d... |
mode of darkness and inertia
unrighteous conduct
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
[term] in context of The understanding covered by d...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The contrast sharpens from confusion to reversal of values. Careful examination is needed when wrongdoing is praised as duty.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Are you defending a harmful act by calling it a virtue?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Are you defending a harmful act by calling it a virtue?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.