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

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.