Chapter 18, Verse 22
Moksha Sanyaas Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
yat—which; tu—but; kṛitsna-vat—as if it encompasses the whole; ekasmin—in single; kārye—action; saktam—engrossed; ahaitukam—without a reason; atattva-artha-vat—not based on truth; alpam—fragmental; cha—and; tat—that; tāmasam—in the mode of ignorance; udāhṛitam—is said to be
English translation
But that which clings to one single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without any foundation in Truth, and is trivial—that is declared to be Tamasic.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 18.22
Commentary
The knowledge which regards that each and every object or being exists by itself and is perfect by itself; is Tamasic. One single effect Such as the body; thinking it to be the Self; or an idol; taking it for God; and thinking that there is nothing higher than that. The naked Jains consider that the soul which dwells in the body is of the same size as that of the body. Some regard that Isvara is a mere piece of stone or wood. Such knowledge is really not based on reason. It does not see things in their true light. It is narrow (Alpam) as it is not founded on reason. It produces very small results too. It extends over a limited area and is not allcomprehensive. This knowledge is said to be Tamasic; as it is found in Tamasic persons who are devoid of the power of discrimination.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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