Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 22 (BG 18.22) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

18.22 यत् which? तु but? कृत्स्नवत् as if it were the whole? एकस्मिन् one single? कार्ये to effect? सक्तम् attached? अहैतुकम् without reason? अतत्त्वार्थवत् without foundation in Truth? अल्पम् trivial? च and? तत् that?,तामसम् Tamasic (dark)? उदाहृतम् is declared.Commentary The knowledge which regards that each and every object or being exists by itself and is perfect by itself? is Tamasic.One single effect Such as the body? thinking it to be the Self? or an idol? taking it for God? and thinking that there is nothing higher than that.The naked Jains consider that the soul which dwells in the body is of the same size as that of the body. Some regard that Isvara is a mere piece of stone or wood. Such knowledge is really not based on reason. It does not see things in their true light. It is narrow (Alpam) as it is not founded on reason. It produces very small results too. It extends over a limited area and is not allcomprehensive. This knowledge is said to be Tamasic? as it is found in Tamasic persons who are devoid of the power of discrimination.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

The intellect overwhelmed by the quality of darkness becomes attached to a single, limited action as though that action alone were the whole truth. It never inquires into the cause of things. The knowledge of those dominated by tamas is of the lowest order. Such people are typically dogmatic and extremely rigid in their views regarding their dharma, their devotion, their outlook on life, and their values. They never investigate the world or seek to understand the causes of events. Sri Shankaracharya says that their knowledge lacks rational foundation—it rests upon no authentic reasoning. Viewing the world through such confused, dogmatic, and prejudiced intellect, those of tamasic nature never perceive the world as it truly is. More than this, they impose their own imaginings upon the world and see it in a completely distorted manner. In truth, those dominated by tamas regard the world merely as an object for their own enjoyment. They utterly disregard the Supreme Self, the foundation of all existence. Due to pride and arrogance, their knowledge becomes narrow and confined. In summary: To recognize the non-dual nature within the dual manifestation is sattvic knowledge. To perceive only the distinctions in the name-and-form creation and to regard them as truth is rajasic knowledge. To mistake the incomplete for the complete is tamasic knowledge. We must not forget that the threefold classification mentioned before and to be described hereafter is not meant for analyzing others, but for self-examination. The seeker should continually evaluate oneself from time to time. Now we shall describe the threefold nature of action.