Chapter 18, Verse 28
अयुक्त: प्राकृत: स्तब्ध: शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलस: | विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ॥28॥
ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śhaṭho naiṣhkṛitiko’lasaḥ | viṣhādī dīrgha-sūtrī cha kartā tāmasa uchyate
"The agent who is unsteady, naive, unbending, deceitful, wicked, lazy, morose and procrastinating is said to be possessed of tamas."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.28 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 18.28 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna defines the Tamasic worker (Karta) through eight negative attributes. Such an individual is 'ayuktaḥ' (undisciplined), 'prākṛitaḥ' (vulgar/acting on raw instinct), and 'stabdhaḥ' (stubbornly resistant to logic or advice). They are 'śhaṭhaḥ' (deceitful) and 'naiṣhkṛitikaḥ' (malicious/insulting to others). Characterized by 'alasaḥ' (sloth) and 'dīrgha-sūtrī' (extreme procrastination), they lack the drive to complete tasks. Finally, they are 'viṣhādī' (perpetually despondent), remaining in a state of self-created misery because their actions are devoid of higher purpose and discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 18.28?
The agent who is unsteady, naive, unbending, deceitful, wicked, lazy, morose and procrastinating is said to be possessed of tamas.