यया स्वप्नं भयं शोकं विषादं मदमेव च।न विमुञ्चति दुर्मेधा धृतिः सा पार्थ तामसी।।18.35।।
yayā svapnaṁ bhayaṁ śokaṁ viṣādaṁ madameva ca | na vimuñcati durmedhā dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha tāmasī
Translation
That unintelligent determination, O son of Pṛthā, is in the mode of darkness, which never gives up dreaming, fear, grief, despondency, and conceit.
Word Meanings
yayā — by which; svapnaṁ — dreaming; bhayaṁ — fearfulness; śokaṁ — lamentation; viṣādaṁ — moroseness; madam — illusion; eva — certainly; ca — also; na — never; vimuñcati — one gives up; durmedhā — unintelligent; dhṛtiḥ — determination; sā — that; pārtha — O son of Pṛthā; tāmasī — in the mode of ignorance.
Understanding the Verse
In the concluding chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna delineates the threefold nature of resolve (dhṛti) corresponding to the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. Verse 18.35 focuses on the resolution rooted in tamas, the mode of darkness. This "durmedhā dhṛti" (unintelligent determination) is characterized by the mind's attachment to the most delusive and obstructive emotional states.
The verse lists five mental afflictions that such a resolve clings to: svapna (dreaming or illusion), bhaya (fear), śoka (grief), viṣāda (despair or melancholy), and māda (conceit). In the tamasic mindset, these states are not merely occasional feelings; they become the very basis of one’s identity and life‑direction. The individual does not strive to transcend them; rather, they are perpetually reinforced, creating a cycle of ignorance and stagnation.
Dreaming (svapna) in this context signifies living under false impressions, mistaking the transient world for ultimate reality. Fear (bhaya) arises from an attachment to the known and a dread of the unknown, preventing any courageous step toward self‑realization. Grief (śoka) and despondency (viṣāda) reflect an inability to accept loss or change, leading to emotional paralysis. Conceit (māda) further cements the ego, fostering a sense of superiority that blinds one to the universal truth of oneness.
Krishna’s warning is not merely a moral admonition but a deep psychological insight. By identifying the constituents of tamasic resolve, a practitioner can recognize these patterns within themselves and initiate a conscious effort to shift toward sattvic determination, which is marked by durability, self‑control, and devotion to a higher purpose. The transition involves cultivating discernment (viveka), devotion (bhakti), and knowledge (jnana) to dissolve the grip of these delusive states.
Thus, Verse 18.35 serves as a diagnostic tool for spiritual aspirants. It highlights that true progress on the path requires the abandonment of the tamasic resolve that binds one to illusion, fear, sorrow, depression, and ego. By relinquishing these, one paves the way for a resolve rooted in clarity, purpose, and spiritual wisdom. This transformation is essential for attaining liberation (moksha) and aligning oneself with the divine will expressed throughout the Gita.
