Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga: / Verse 35

As sāttvika and rājasa wills have their impulsions and persuasions, the tāmasa has its too, by dint of which one cannot get rid of various negative traits. It is intriguing to note how the same mind promotes absolutely opposite urges, cravings and tendencies. Krishna lists a variety of these, all of which keep one inescapably bound to indulgences, habits and ways, weakening and destructive to the individual and society alike. Tamas is as much an undeniable part of creation as rajas and sattva are.

Yoga is based on the principle of moderation, as Krishna has explained earlier (6.17). It is more a value and discipline one has to comprehend with discrimination and foster tenaciously with fondness and resolve. Only then, it will take the upper hand in the seeker and reduce the impact of tamo-guna and its deleterious effects. Though all the three gunas are present in every one, Nature does allow one to change their proportion and predominance, employing his own choice and resolve – a point to be grasped discreetly!