Deluded action ignores consequences.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् |मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यत्तत्तामसमुच्यते ||१८-२५||
anubandhaṃ kṣayaṃ hiṃsāmanapekṣya ca pauruṣam . mohādārabhyate karma yattattāmasamucyate ||18-25||
Use this verse before impulsive decisions.
Meaning
Action begun from delusion, without considering consequences, loss, harm, or one’s capacity, is called tamasic.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Tamasic action ignores consequences, harm, loss, and capacity.
Word-by-word meaning
Tap a word to see its meaning.
Explanation
Krishna defines careless action. It is impulsive, poorly considered, potentially harmful, and disconnected from realistic capability. This is a strong verse for decision safety.
Read the traditional commentary
Tamasic action is launched out of moha, sheer delusion, with no regard for its consequences, the loss or waste it causes, the injury (himsa) it inflicts on others, or even one's own capacity to carry it out. It is blind, heedless doing.
This is the reckless act of the darkened mind — undertaken impulsively, ignoring harm and outcome alike. Where sattva considers rightness and rajas at least calculates gain, tamas considers nothing at all. Krishna's classification thus becomes a practical mirror: before acting, one can ask honestly whether the deed flows from clear duty, from craving, or from blind delusion — and choose accordingly.
In daily life
Before acting, check impact, cost, harm, and capacity.
A business may launch a risky feature without testing user harm, cost, or team readiness.
Try this today
Run one action through impact, harm, cost, and capacity.
I act after considering consequences and capacity.Reflect
What consequence am I ignoring?
Private — only you can see this
Quick check
What does ‘मोहात् आरभ्यते’ mean in this verse?
The Gita on tamas, in other chapters
- Verse 14.8The most dangerous bondage is the one that dulls you to its own presence — heedlessness, laziness, and stupor.
- Verse 17.19Discipline guided by delusion, self-harm, or hatred is the lowest of all — effort must be steered by wisdom and compassion, never malice.
- Verse 1.23 · ArjunaCorrupted intelligence, not pure evil, is often the root of collective harm — examine your own reasoning regularly for distortion.
- Verse 2.52When intelligence transcends delusion, the seeker becomes naturally disenchanted with all secondhand knowledge and rests in direct knowing.
Swipe left for 18.26 · The sattvic doer combines enthusiasm with detachment.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 18.25
Who says Bhagavad Gita 18.25, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 18.25, in Chapter 18, Moksha Sannyas Yoga (Moksha Sannyas Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.25 mean?
Action begun from delusion, without considering consequences, loss, harm, or one’s capacity, is called tamasic. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 18.25 for daily life?
Before acting, check impact, cost, harm, and capacity. A business may launch a risky feature without testing user harm, cost, or team readiness.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 18.25 mean?
अनुबन्धं — the consequence / aftermath; क्षयं — loss / waste; हिंसाम् — injury / harm; अनपेक्ष्य — without regard for; च पौरुषम् — and one's own ability.
Where does verse 18.25 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 25 of 78 in Chapter 18, Moksha Sannyas Yoga. The next verse is 18.26.