Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 28 (BG 18.28) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

Here, the tamasic agent impelled by tamasic knowledge performing tamasic action is described in detail. The unintegrated one—whose mind is not united with wisdom is called unintegrated. Neglecting the guidance of wisdom, the tamasic agent acts according to his own whims. The uncultured one—a person of extremely crude and unrefined intellect is called uncultured. The refined person is one who keeps the base tendencies of his mind under control. But the tamasic person, being unintegrated, is of crude nature. He has no self-restraint whatsoever. Even when the mirror of wisdom shows him his reflection, he does not accept that the uncouthness and other defects reflected in that mirror are his own. The stubborn one—like a wooden post, he never bows humbly before anyone. He is so obstinate and rigid that he does not even wish to listen to anyone's good counsel, let alone follow it. He cannot bear any instruction from anyone. The deceitful one—that is, the deceptive one. The tamasic agent can never be trusted, because he conceals his true intentions and deceives people by engaging in other kinds of activities. Through such deceptive acts, people in society suffer pain and hardship. The destructive one—Sri Shankara explains this: the tamasic agent is one who destroys others' livelihoods. He is always ready to quarrel and fight with others and harbors enmity and a spirit of revenge. The lazy one—the tamasic agent does not readily engage in any work, not even in obligatory duties. He desires to enjoy the fruits without exertion. Such a lazy person is incapable even of reflection. The three brothers of Lanka—Vibhishana, Ravana, and Kumbhakarna—are respectively symbols of sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic agents. The despondent one—always remains dejected. He is never satisfied with anything or anyone. He lacks both the capacity and the firmness to face life's challenges. Therefore, he wishes to dwell in some safe place where there are no worldly problems and he can indulge in sense pleasures unobstructed. The procrastinator—the person who says he will do tomorrow what should be done today, and even after a month does not do it, is called a procrastinator. He cannot make quick decisions, and even if he does make them, he cannot execute them. Thus, in three verses, Lord Sri Krishna has painted a most beautiful portrait of the inner nature of the three types of agents. It should always be remembered that the above description is not for judging others, but for self-examination and self-improvement. The Lord further says—