Word meanings
- anubandham
- consequences
- kṣayam
- loss
- hinsām
- injury
- anapekṣya
- by disregarding
- ca
- and
- pauruṣam
- one’s own ability
- mohāt
- out of delusion
- ārabhyate
- is begun
- karma
- action
- yat
- which
- tat
- that
- tāmasam
- in the mode of ignorance
- ucyate
- is declared to be
Translations
That action which is undertaken from delusion, without regard for the consequences, loss, injury, and one's own ability, is declared to be Tamasic (dark).
An action undertaken through delusion, with no regard to the spiritual implications, the capacity of the doer, or the potential harm that may follow, is assumed to be a product of ignorance.
That action is said to be born of tamas which is undertaken out of delusion, without consideration of its consequences, loss, harm, and ability.
जो कर्म परिणाम, हानि, हिंसा और सामर्थ्यको न देखकर मोहपूर्वक आरम्भ किया जाता है, वह तामस कहा जाता है।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.