Bhagavad Gita 14.8 · Krishna
When everything feels heavy
तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम्।
प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत॥
tamastvajñānajaṃ viddhi mohanaṃ sarvadehināmpramādālasyanidrābhistannibadhnāti bhārata
Know heaviness as born of ignorance, clouding all embodied beings. It binds, Bharata, through carelessness, sluggishness and sleep.
Words
- tamas
What it means
Krishna describes tamas, heaviness. It comes from not seeing clearly. It clouds the mind. It binds through carelessness, sluggishness and too much sleep. Everyone visits tamas sometimes. It isn't a character flaw. It's a state, and states can change.
The story
Arjuna sank into tamas in chapter one, collapsed in his chariot, unable to act. Krishna isn't shaming him. He's explaining what happened, so Arjuna can climb out.
In your life
Think of a grey Sunday when you couldn't get off the sofa. Be kind to yourself. Then do one small thing, a walk, a shower, a call. Small movement lifts heaviness.
Heaviness passes. Start with one small step.