Verse-28
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 28
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabhdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko'lasaḥ
viṣādī dīrghasūtrī ch kartā tāmasa ucyate
🕉 English Translation
Chanchal ashikshit ghamand se bhara,
Jiddi, dukhi chahe sab ka bura.
Kare der har kaam mein alsi,
Kaha jata karta hai woh tamasi.
📜 Translation
English
The doer who is unsteady, of unrefined intelligence, haughty, obstinate, the one who does harm to even the one who does good to him, is lazy, despondent and procrastinating-he is said to be tamasic.
In the connection with work the most significant role is that of the doer. As the attitude of the doer is, so will be his state, and in consequences whereof, actions too will be of the same nature and the same kind of means will also be employed. That is why these kinds of thoughts relating to the doer in reality enhance the receptivity, necessity and universality of a universally accepted scripture like Gita.
While performing action or even before that there is no steadiness, the influence of craftiness and fickleness is exhibited both in attitude and action. Sometimes resolving that this is to be executed and then abandoning that thought, developing another one for doing something else, and at times even abandoning action while in the midst of it. Neither is there any good cultural background nor education, and even if someone tries to explain, then the nature of obstinately maintaining one's own stand! All the time behaving in a haughty, conceited and arrogant manner and living life in accordance with it and also acting filled with this attitude. Stress, unhappiness, dejection appears to be all the time a part of the very nature. Having in abundance, still to pick up any petty issue or deficiency and make it a subject of anxiety and grief. To remain in distress and to distress others is a way of life. One's own task should be accomplished, if in that process harm comes to others. Let it be so, even though someone may have done a good turn to him. Then also harbouring contrary feelings towards him, being ungrateful! The propensity of indolence, sloth and the attitude of procrastination prevails there. It will be done, will do it, what is the hurry-this is the attitude and the state of a tamasic doer.