Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 35

Chapter 18 – Moksha Sanyasa Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च ।
न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी ॥

Transliteration

yayā svapnaṃ bhayaṃ śokaṃ viṣādaṃ madameva ca .
na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī ॥

Meaning

The fortitude by which a foolish person does not give up sleep, fear, grief, despondency and arrogance — that fortitude, O Partha, is tamasic.

Word meanings

यया – by which
स्वप्नम् – sleep, excessive sleep
भयम् – fear
शोकम् – grief
विषादम् – despondency
मदम् – arrogance, intoxication
एव च – and also
न विमुञ्चति – does not give up
दुर्मेधाः – the foolish, dull-witted
धृतिः – fortitude
सा – that
पार्थ – O Partha
तामसी – tamasic

Anvaya (word order)

पार्थ, दुर्मेधाः यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदम् एव च न विमुञ्चति, सा धृतिः तामसी ।

Explanation

This verse reveals a remarkable psychological truth: steadfastness can be directed not only towards good things but also towards bad. Tamasic fortitude is that by which a person holds tightly to his negative states and refuses to release them. It is still called dhriti because it too involves a kind of stubborn persistence — but in the direction of ruin.

Five things are listed that the tamasic person will not let go. Svapna — excessive sleep and sloth, in which life's time slips away. Bhaya — the constant fear he nurtures, which prevents him from taking any new step. Shoka — grief over the past, which he rehearses again and again. Vishada — deep despondency and hopelessness in which he remains sunk. Mada — arrogance, intoxication or infatuation with sense objects.

It is worth reflecting that many people become so attached to their sorrows, fears and grievances that these become their identity. They do not even wish to let go, because letting go requires change and effort, which tamas dislikes. This is the state of na vimunchati — not releasing.

This is especially relevant to Arjuna. In the first two chapters he was overwhelmed by fear, grief and despondency — which is why the first chapter is called Arjuna Vishada Yoga, 'the yoga of Arjuna's despondency'. Throughout the Gita Krishna has been lifting him out of this tamasic state. The word durmedha, 'dull-witted', shows that its root is lack of discernment; when discernment awakens, this grip can be broken.

Context

The previous two verses described sattvic and rajasic fortitude. This verse describes tamasic fortitude. From the next verse (18.36) Krishna begins describing the three kinds of happiness.

Life lesson

Notice which negative emotions — fear, grief, despair, arrogance — you may be holding onto without realising it. Have the courage to release them; they are not who you are. Just as good habits need steadiness, so does letting go of bad ones.

Key terms

Tamasi dhriti: Stubborn clinging to sleep, fear, grief, despondency and arrogance
Svapna: Excessive sleep and sloth
Vishada: Despondency
Mada: Arrogance, intoxication
Durmedha: Dull-witted, foolish