Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga:: Verse 28
अयुक्त: प्राकृत: स्तब्ध: शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलस: ।
विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ॥
ayukta: prākṛta: stabdha: śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko’lasa:
viṣādī dīrgha-sūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate – 18.28
Immoderate, vulgar, obstinate, fraudulent, malicious, lazy, melancholic and procrastinating – these are the descriptions of a tāmasa kartā.
Chapter 18: Moksha-sannyasa-yoga: - Verse 28
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Although everyone has his body and mind, the inspirations and instigations they give rise to are incredibly various. It is amazing to think of them and perplexing to encounter them. But the world always consists of people given to these ignoble urges.
In most of the cases these proclivities are congenital. By timely discretion and self-effort, these congenital tendencies can be changed. Often people do not care to do it. The society thus remains a baffling assortment.
Just like the sāttvika people, the rājasa and tāmasa people also thrive. The right way for the sāttvikas will be to recognize this fact, and remain well resolved to spread their own sublime influence, judiciously dissuading and resisting adverse notes. Such moderation and dissuasion are a constant societal need.
More important is the call to recognize the unwelcome traits and eliminate them from oneself. In this, none should be indifferent or procrastinating.
