Gita 18.28
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
अयुक्तः प्राकृतः स्तब्धः शठो नैष्कृतिकोऽलसः । विषादी दीर्घसूत्री च कर्ता तामस उच्यते ॥२८॥
ayuktaḥ prākṛtaḥ stabdhaḥ śaṭho naiṣkṛtiko'lasaḥ | viṣādī dīrgha-sūtrī ca kartā tāmasa ucyate ||28||
In essence: The tamasic doer is a study in spiritual darkness—undisciplined, crude, stubborn, deceitful, malicious, lazy, depressed, and endlessly procrastinating.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "This description sounds like someone with depression. Isn't it harsh to call mental illness 'tamasic'?"
Guru: "An important distinction: depression as a medical condition requires compassionate treatment, not moral judgment. But tamas as a psychological quality is something different—it describes patterns of consciousness that anyone can fall into and that exacerbate mental health challenges. A person with depression is not 'tamasic' as an identity; but cultivating sattvic practices can genuinely help recovery. The teaching is about understanding patterns, not condemning people."
Sadhak: "I recognize procrastination in myself—'dīrgha-sūtrī'—but I'm not deceitful or malicious. Can someone have only some tamasic qualities?"
Guru: "Yes, the gunas mix in different proportions. You might have predominantly sattvic nature with isolated tamasic habits like procrastination. This verse describes the fully tamasic doer in whom all these qualities dominate. Most people have mixed patterns. The value is in recognizing specific qualities you want to address, not in labeling yourself entirely tamasic."
Sadhak: "What is the path out of tamas?"
Guru: "First through rajas, then to sattva. Tamas is overcome by action—even imperfect, passionate action is better than dark inertia. Exercise, discipline, engagement with life begin to break tamas. Then, as rajas activates, it can be gradually refined toward sattva through wisdom, service, and spiritual practice. The journey is: tamas → rajas → sattva → transcendence of all gunas."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Assess your energy: 'Is there tamasic heaviness today—reluctance to engage, desire to avoid, dull resistance to life?' If so, commit to one small action that breaks the inertia. Physical movement is especially powerful: even a short walk can shift energy from tamas toward rajas.
Watch for 'dīrgha-sūtrī' patterns: postponing what should be done now, stretching tasks unnecessarily, finding reasons to delay. When you notice procrastination, ask: 'What is the next small step I can take right now?' Acting on that step—however small—breaks the tamasic pattern.
Honestly inventory: 'Did I deceive anyone today—even white lies, half-truths, misleading impressions? Did I harbor ill-will or take subtle pleasure in others' difficulties?' These are tamasic patterns that corrode the soul. Acknowledge them without harsh self-judgment, and set intention for greater honesty and goodwill.