Topic

Harm

2 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on harm. Explore teachings across 2 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 17 • Verse 19 →The Yoga of Threefold Faith
mudha-grahenatmano yat pidaya kriyate tapah, parasyotsadanartham va tat tamasam udahritam

Austerity performed out of foolish obstinacy, with self-torture, or for the purpose of ruining another is declared to be tamasic.

  • •Tamasic austerity harms the practitioner and others
  • •Obstinacy and misguided will distort genuine spiritual effort
  • •Any practice aimed at harming others is spiritually degraded
tamasic austerityself-torturetamastapas
Chapter 18 • Verse 25 →The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation
anubandham ksayam himsam anapeksya ca paurusam mohad arabhyate karma yat tat tamasam ucyate

Action that is undertaken out of delusion, without consideration of consequences, harm to others, one's own capacity, or the loss involved — such action is said to be tamasic. Tamas drives reckless, harmful, and self-destructive activity.

  • •Tamasic action is initiated without discernment or consideration of consequences
  • •Such action disregards harm to others and one's own limitations
  • •Delusion is the root cause of tamasic action
tamasic-actiontamasdelusionrecklessness