Bhagavad Gita 18.25

Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · English Translation

That action which is undertaken from delusion, without a regard for the conseences, loss, injury and (one's own) ability that is declared to be Tamasic (dark).

Sanskrit

अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् | मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ||१८-२५||

Transliteration

anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanapekṣya ca pauruṣam . mohādārabhyate karma yattattāmasamucyate ||18-25||

What Does This Verse Mean?

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that actions driven by delusion, ignoring consequences like loss or harm to others and disregarding one's own capabilities, are classified as Tamasic (dark). This type of action stems from a clouded mind that fails to see the reality of cause and effect. Such deeds lead to further ignorance rather than liberation. The key teaching is that true spiritual progress requires clear vision before undertaking any task.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse belongs to the framework of Karma Yoga within the Sankhya philosophy of the Gita, specifically detailing how qualities (Gunas) influence action. It develops the concept that actions rooted in Tamas are blind to reality and binding, contrasting them with actions performed with wisdom and detachment.

Word by Word

अनुबन्धम् conseence, क्षयम् loss, हिंसाम् injury, अनपेक्ष्य without regard, च and, पौरुषम् (ones own) ability, मोहात् from delusion, आरभ्यते is undertaken, कर्म action, यत् which, तत् that, तामसम् Tamasic (dark), उच्यते is said

Classical Commentary

Tamasic acts cause harm to others. A Tamasic man reflects not at all whether he has the capacity to perform these useless actions, but continues to act blindly. With utter thoughtlessness he sets aside any reflection as to the difficulty of performing the action and what the result of it would be. He carries it on in his own egoistical manner. He does not discriminate between the good and the bad, or what is ones own and what belongs to another. Kshayam Loss of power and of wealth, resulting from the performance of an action. Himsa Injury to living beings. Paurusham Ones own ability or capacity to complete the work. Now listen to the characteristics that pertain to the pure agent. The Lord proceeds to deal with the distinction among the agents.

Where This Happens

This verse appears in the final chapter where Lord Krishna is concluding his discourse to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra after a long day of debate. Having just explained the three types of knowledge, action, and intellect (Sattvic, Rajasic, Tamasic), Krishna now defines the nature of actions rooted in ignorance as he urges Arjuna to awaken from his delusion. The listener, Arjuna, is still struggling with the moral weight of fighting his own kin, needing clarity on how to distinguish right action from harmful impulsiveness.

Living It Out Today

Consider a manager at work who launches a new product strategy without checking market research (consequences), ignoring potential harm to customer trust or company finances (injury/loss), and pushing forward despite lacking the team's resources (ability). This impulsive move, driven by overconfidence or confusion rather than data, often leads to failure and wasted effort. A better approach is to pause, assess risks, ensure ethical alignment, and match actions with available skills before proceeding.

Explained for Children

Imagine you decide to run into traffic without looking at cars or thinking about how dangerous it might be; doing something because you are confused and not caring if someone gets hurt is like a 'Tamasic' action. Krishna says we should think carefully, check if our actions will cause trouble, and make sure we can actually do them before starting. When we act with care and clear eyes instead of confusion, we grow smarter and kinder.

Daily Reflection

Today, notice where you act out of a foggy 'I must do this now' rather than clear wisdom. When we ignore consequences or our actual limits, we often create more suffering for ourselves and others later on. True strength comes from pausing to align your actions with reality before they unfold.

A Practice for Today

Pause to examine your next action and ask if it springs from clarity or confusion. Notice whether you are ignoring the potential for harm, loss, or your own true capacity before moving forward.

Key Teachings

The Trap of Delusion
Tamasic action begins in ignorance, where the mind clouds judgment about what is right or wrong. This delusion blinds us to the true nature of our choices before we even begin.
Disregard for Consequences and Harm
A hallmark of darkness in action is a complete lack of regard for future outcomes, including injury or loss. The doer acts without considering the ripple effects on themselves or others.
Ignoring One's Own Capacity
True wisdom requires an honest assessment of one's own abilities and resources before undertaking a task. Acting beyond one's limits out of delusion leads to failure and further entanglement in suffering.

Themes

Tamasic qualitiesConscious actionDelusion (Moha)Cause and effectSelf-awarenessRenunciation

Related Verses

2.47 3.30 4.18 6.5 18.66

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four specific things Krishna says we must not ignore before acting?

The verse lists consequences (anubandham), loss or destruction of resources (kshayam), injury to others (himsam), and one's own capacity or ability (paurusham). Ignoring any of these four indicates that the action is driven by delusion rather than wisdom.

How does 'delusion' (moha) specifically affect our decision-making according to this verse?

Delusion clouds our judgment, causing us to act impulsively without weighing risks or considering the well-being of others. It creates a false sense of security where we believe an action will succeed even when it clearly violates logic or ethics.

Why is this verse grouped under 'Moksha Sanyasa Yoga' in Chapter 18?

This chapter focuses on liberation through renunciation, and understanding Tamasic actions helps one recognize what to abandon. By identifying and stopping deluded behaviors that cause harm and loss, a seeker purifies their mind as a necessary step toward true freedom.

Can an action be considered good if the intention was pure but it caused injury?

According to this verse, no; because Tamasic actions are defined by ignoring consequences and potential harm regardless of intent. True right action requires not just a good heart, but also clear awareness that prevents causing unnecessary pain or failure.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 18.25 →