Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 19

Chapter 17 – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः ।
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥

Transliteration

mūḍhagrāheṇātmano yatpīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ .
parasyotsādanārthaṃ vā tattāmasamudāhṛtam ॥

Meaning

Austerity practised out of deluded obstinacy, with self-torture, or for the purpose of harming another, is declared to be tamasic.

Word meanings

मूढग्राहेण – out of deluded obstinacy
आत्मनः – of oneself
यत् – which
पीडया – with torture
क्रियते – is practised
तपः – austerity
परस्य – of another
उत्सादनार्थम् – for the ruin, for harming
वा – or
तत् – that
तामसम् – tamasic
उदाहृतम् – is declared

Anvaya (word order)

यत् तपः मूढग्राहेण आत्मनः पीडया, परस्य उत्सादनार्थं वा क्रियते, तत् तामसम् उदाहृतम् ।

Explanation

The last and lowest of the three kinds of austerity is the tamasic. Three marks are given.

First, mudha-grahena, 'out of deluded obstinacy'. Graha means a grip or a stubborn hold. The tamasic person seizes on some wrong notion and clings to it, refusing to listen to reason or scripture. His austerity springs not from knowledge but from ignorance and stubbornness.

Second, atmano yat pidaya, 'with torment of oneself'. This is the demonic austerity described in verses 5 and 6: needless torture of the body, which brings neither self-purification nor benefit to anyone. Sattvic austerity disciplines the body; tamasic austerity destroys it.

Third and most fearful, parasyotsadanartham va, 'or to ruin another'. Some people perform austerities, rituals or occult practices to harm an enemy or bring misfortune on someone. This is the most perverted form of austerity, for a practice meant for self-elevation becomes a weapon for hurting others.

All three share one feature: a complete lack of discernment. Sattvic austerity lifts one up, rajasic austerity keeps one going in circles, and tamasic austerity drags one down. The quality of austerity is decided not by its outward severity but by the discernment, purpose and spirit behind it.

Context

The previous two verses described sattvic and rajasic austerity; this verse describes tamasic austerity and completes the subject. The next three verses describe the three kinds of charity.

Life lesson

Any practice undertaken out of obstinacy, self-torment or ill-will towards others leads to downfall. Test every discipline against the touchstones of wisdom and compassion.

Key terms

Tamasic tapas: Austerity performed out of deluded obstinacy, self-torture or to harm others
Mudha-graha: Deluded obstinacy, an undiscerning stubborn hold
Utsadana: Ruin, destruction, harm