Chapter 17 Shloka 19

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तप:।

परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।१९।।

That tapas which involves inflicting

severe distress upon oneself

impelled by a deluded understanding,

and that which is performed to

do harm to another, is tamsic tapas.

Chapter 17 Shloka 19

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तप:।

परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।१९।।

Now Bhagwan speaks of tamsic tapas.

That tapas which involves inflicting severe distress upon oneself impelled by a deluded understanding, and that which is performed to do harm to another, is tamsic tapas.

Moodh Aagrah (मूढ़ आग्रह)

1. Impelled by foolish and false principles.

2. Rooted in the unreal.

3. After taking erroneous yet stubborn decisions.

4. Having confidence in dubious resolutions.

5. Bound by debased tendencies.

6. Faith in concepts that negate duty.

Those people whose intellects have been led astray by their wayward and stubborn convictions can be said to possess moodh aagrah. The inflexible decisions of the lost pilgrim on the spiritual path are often inspired by such moodh aagrah.

He who abides in the ego and thinks only of injuring, uprooting or destroying others, in short, inflicting all manner of sorrows upon another, such a one is only capable of causing agony to others and suffering agony himself. Such a one suffers from moodh aagrah.

Tamsic Tapas

The forbearance of such people is tamsic in nature. They seek revenge even by imputing false charges against the other; they will not even hesitate to resort to murder, even at the risk of losing their own lives. Their desire to take revenge is not necessarily based on actual facts – in fact, it is usually an attempt to conceal their own falsehood or lie which is exposed by another. This is enough cause to want to destroy the other.

Truth or lies are of no consequence for the tamsic individual. He only takes pride in his body-self and is blinded by ignorance. He seeks only establishment of the self.

1. How can such a depraved soul know even the basic rudiments of dharma?

2. How can one with such degenerate conduct understand the first principles of courtesy and decorum?

3. How can such an ignoramus be acquainted with the basics of truthful conduct?

4. How can such a deceitful person understand the Truth?

5. How can such an evil-minded soul recognise his duty?

6. How can one so far removed from the path of Truth understand love?

Such people consider themselves to be godlike and speak as though the Lord belongs only to them!

1. The basis of their tapas is the downfall and destruction of the other.

2. Their decisions are based on a lie.

3. They become upset and agitated without cause.

4. If someone tells the truth, they get upset and flare up.

5. If someone reminds them of their duties, they get extremely upset and angry.

6. If someone turns against them, they consider them to be eternal enemies.

This upsetting, this resentment and innate rancour can cause tremendous hostility and a lifetime of deep enmity. Lifelong fighting and even the severing of relationships leads to duties being totally neglected.

Such people have in fact turned their backs on God for the rest of their lives. Thus they have been diverted from the path of Truth for many a lifetime.

Such quarrels generally take place:

a) with those whom one considers to be one’s own;

b) with one’s relations and close associates;

c) when friendships break up.

In fact, such enmities are often a front for the dereliction of duty.