Gita 18.25
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् | मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ||२५||
anubandhaṁ kṣayaṁ hiṁsām anapekṣya ca pauruṣam | mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam ucyate ||25||
In essence: Tamasic action is born of delusion, heedless of consequences, loss, harm to others, and one's own capacity.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Some of the most destructive people in history believed they were doing good. How does delusion cause such blindness?"
Guru: "That's precisely the danger of moha. The deluded person doesn't know they're deluded. They see their action as justified, even righteous, while ignoring consequences, loss, and harm. The tyrant believes they're creating order. The extremist believes they're serving truth. Delusion is not mere ignorance—it's active misperception."
Sadhak: "How do I know if I'm acting from delusion?"
Guru: "Use the verse's checklist. Have you considered future consequences honestly? Do you acknowledge what will be lost or destroyed? Have you faced the harm your action might cause? Are you being realistic about your capacity? If you haven't considered these, or if you dismiss them impatiently, moha is likely operating."
Sadhak: "What about 'paurusham'—one's own capacity? Why is that important?"
Guru: "Acting beyond your capacity wastes resources, damages situations, and ultimately fails. The person who takes on a project they cannot complete, the leader who promises what they cannot deliver, the helper who intervenes without skill—all cause harm through incompetence. Knowing your capacity is wisdom; ignoring it is delusion."
Sadhak: "Can tamasic action ever look noble?"
Guru: "Unfortunately, yes. Grand gestures, dramatic sacrifices, bold ventures—these can arise from delusion rather than wisdom. The test is not how the action looks but whether it was undertaken with clear seeing of consequences, costs, harm, and capacity. Noble appearance with deluded foundation is still tamasic."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Before major decisions, run the four-factor check: 'What consequences am I potentially ignoring? What losses might result? Who could be harmed? Am I realistic about my capacity to do this?' If you find yourself impatient with these questions, that impatience itself may indicate moha.
When you catch yourself about to act impulsively—especially when irritated, excited, or emotionally activated—pause. Moha often operates through emotional states that cloud judgment. The pause creates space for the four-factor assessment that tamasic action skips.
Review any action taken today that had negative consequences. Trace backward: 'Did I consider consequences beforehand? Did I account for potential loss? Did I weigh harm to others? Was I realistic about my capacity?' This isn't for self-blame but to train against tamasic patterns.