अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च।तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन।।14.13।।
aprakāśo 'apravṛttiś ca pramādo moha eva ca | tamasyetāni jāyante vivṛddhe kuru‑nandana
Translation
When the mode of ignorance (tamas) increases, these—absence of illumination, inactivity, negligence and delusion—arise, O son of the Kuru clan.
Word Meanings
aprakāśaḥ — darkness; apravṛttiḥ — inactivity; ca — and; pramādaḥ — negligence; mohaḥ — delusion; eva — certainly; ca — also; tamas — the mode of ignorance; etāni — these; jāyante — arise; vivṛddhe — when increased; kuru‑nandana — O son of Kuru
Understanding the Verse
In this verse, Lord Krishna enumerates the subtle qualities that arise from the predominance of tamas, the mode of darkness. The term ‘aprakāśa’ literally means ‘unilluminated’ or ‘obscured’, indicating a mental state devoid of spiritual insight. When the intellect is clouded, one cannot discern the divine light that dispels ignorance. This darkness is not merely physical but signifies a profound inner blindness that hampers the soul’s progress.
‘Apravṛttiḥ’ denotes inactivity or stagnation. In the tamasic condition, the mind becomes inert, refusing the dynamism required for self‑realization. Such inertia prevents the seeker from engaging in righteous actions, meditation, or any disciplined practice that could lift the veil of ignorance. It is the lethargy that keeps one stuck in habitual patterns and prevents the blossoming of higher consciousness.
‘Pramāda’ is often translated as negligence or heedlessness. Under tamas, the individual’s discernment dulls, leading to careless behavior, a lack of responsibility, and an indifference toward dharma. This negligence is not simply a mistake; it is a systematic failure to attend to one’s duties, both personal and societal, thereby perpetuating a cycle of moral decline.
‘Moha’, the final component, is pure delusion—an attachment to false notions of reality. When tamas dominates, the mind gets entangled in misconceptions, believing the transient world to be the ultimate truth. This delusion binds the soul to the material realm, creating suffering and preventing liberation.
Krishna ties these four mental afflictions to the increase of tamas, stressing that they are its natural offspring. As tamas grows, the senses become heavy, the intellect dim, and the heart succumbs to inertia and confusion. The verse serves as a warning: unless we recognize and counteract these tendencies, they will inevitably manifest in our thoughts, speech, and deeds.
The address ‘kuru‑nandana’ (son of the Kuru) is a reminder that even Arjuna, a warrior of noble lineage, is vulnerable to tamasic influences. It underscores the universality of the teaching—no one, regardless of status, is exempt. By identifying these specific aspects, Krishna equips the seeker with diagnostic tools to introspect and purify the mind.
Practically, the verse urges a conscious effort to cultivate sattvic qualities—clarity, activity, vigilance, and wisdom—to diminish tamas. Engaging in disciplined yoga, truthful living, and devotion can gradually replace the darkness with illumination, inertia with purposeful action, negligence with mindfulness, and delusion with true knowledge. In doing so, the aspirant moves toward the ultimate goal of self‑realization and union with the Divine.
