Chapter 18 Shloka 32
अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता।
सर्वार्थान्विपरीतांश्च बुद्धि: सा पार्थ तामसी।।३२।।
Bhagwan says to Arjuna:
O Partha! The intellect veiled by tamas perceives adharma as dharma and views all things in a distorted manner. Such is the tamsic intellect.
Little one, try to understand the characteristics of the tamsic intellect.
1. One who is full of the darkness of ignorance possesses a tamsic intellect.
2. The intellect of one who is lazy and filled with moha is tamsic indeed.
3. One who is attached to the body-self and full of pride on account of this gross body, possesses a tamsic intellect.
4. The tamsic intellect can be defined as the intellect of the blind.
5. The tamsic intellect is the intellect of one devoid of discernment.
The one who possesses a tamsic intellect takes great pride in that intellect, but that intellect:
a) takes the wrong view of everything;
b) teaches him false principles;
c) merely spreads darkness;
d) leads him towards pettiness and meanness;
e) engages in deceitful and fraudulent actions;
f) drives the individual to betray the confidence of others;
g) adheres neither to duty nor to dharma;
h) transforms a human being into a demon;
i) raises its voice against dharma and righteousness;
j) sponsors hatred in the name of dharma;
k) is responsible for maligning the Lord’s beauteous Name.
Because of such a tamsic intellect:
1. The world is deprived of love.
2. Compassion is completely annihilated.
3. Sincerity is dealt a mortal blow.
4. An attitude of neglecting one’s duty prevails.
5. Homes are bereft of joy.
6. Traitors are created in the world.
7. Forgiveness is non-existent.
8. To seek revenge becomes the prevalent dharma.
9. The truth is ever suppressed.
10. One seeks to destroy whoever speaks the truth.
11. Sin is rampant – such an intellect encourages others too, to abide in sin.
12. Travellers on the path of Truth are not endured.
13. Man can neither engage in virtuous deeds himself, nor trust anyone who performs such deeds.
– Dishonesty and a lack of integrity are the basis of such an intellect.
– Such an intellect possesses neither intellectual nor emotional truthfulness; nor is it truthful in actions.
Yet it considers itself to be superior, truthful, replete with love for the country and dutiful to the core!
The tamsic intellect considers only itself to be superior. It may take an oath of loyalty to the country, but it is essentially a traitor to the nation. It swears to speak only the truth, yet abstains from doing so. It lauds duty, yet engages in deeds contrary to duty.
Born of deceit, such an intellect is inherently blind. Yet, bloated with pride, it is extremely treacherous. To malign others is mere play. Destroying others in order to save oneself is the work of such an intellect. Indulging in untruthful talk and behaviour, it wants its contradiction of Truth to be proved as correct and consonant with dharma and duty.
Dharma is constantly on the decline due to this tamsic intellect, and duty is almost non-existent. People who possess such an intellect are to be found in myriad roles in society. However, they are not to be blamed; we must look upon them with sympathy since they are afflicted with such an attribute!
