Chapter 14 • Verse 8
तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम्। प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत॥
tamas tv ajñāna-jaṁ viddhi mohanaṁ sarva-dehinām pramādālasya-nidrābhis tan nibadhnāti bhārata
Meaning
Know tamas to be born of ignorance, deluding all embodied beings. It binds through negligence, laziness, and sleep, O Bharata.
Tamas is ignorance, darkness, inertia. It deludes all beings into confusion and apathy. It binds through carelessness, laziness, and excessive sleep. The tamasic person avoids action, remains confused, sleeps too much.
Strength Reflection
"Tamas binds me through ignorance, laziness, and excessive sleep."
Devotional Surrender
O Lord, dispel my tamas. Awaken me from ignorance and inertia.