The Track – In Gita Verse 18.25 That action performed in illusion, in disregard of scriptural injunctions, and without concern for future bondage or for violence or distress caused to others is said to be in the mode of ignorance.
The Bhagavad Gita Verse 18.25 articulates that actions performed under the influence of ignorance, without regard for scriptural guidance, and without consideration for future consequences or the harm inflicted upon others, are classified as being in the mode of ignorance.
Tamasic karma, or actions born out of ignorance, lack awareness of their consequences, potential harm, and violence. This state, referred to as Tamas, is akin to unconsciousness – akin to sleepwalking, where individuals act without awareness or memory of their actions. For instance, someone might wake up at night, go to the refrigerator, eat ice cream, and return to bed without any recollection of these actions in the morning. They might vaguely remember dreaming about standing near the refrigerator, but the details remain elusive.
Tamas represents a state of life where actions are performed without conscious intent or awareness. People may engage in activities such as shopping or even committing acts of violence without understanding why they are doing so. Later, they might claim ignorance, stating that the actions occurred despite their intentions, often in moments of anger or unconsciousness.
Krishna describes life conducted in such a state of intoxication as Tamas. Actions arising from ignorance and darkness, devoid of consideration for consequences, harm, or violence, and without taking responsibility for these actions, are performed unconsciously. The core issue is not the actions themselves but the state of consciousness from which they arise. Tamas signifies unconsciousness.
To transcend this state, one must elevate themselves from unconsciousness and ego. Actions should not stem from ignorance or mere enjoyment but should serve as a means for inner awakening and consciousness. Each action should contribute to further awakening and caution, leading to the realisation of the inner Buddha.
Krishna emphasises that the mind creates disturbances in consciousness, leading individuals to act from a place of illusion and bondage. In my blog on Bhagavad Gita Verse 17.12, I discussed how over centuries, individuals have been conditioned to pursue goals, fostering a future-oriented mindset. This goal-oriented ideology makes the mind a fundamental disturbance in consciousness. The mind is not our true nature but a source of disturbance. When there is no disturbance, there is no mind, resulting in a state of expanded consciousness.
Meditation aims to achieve a state of no-mindedness, where one is conscious and still, without disturbances. It is a state of deep, calm, and silent consciousness, free from ripples and vibrations. The mind perpetuates disturbances, creating a vicious cycle that takes us further away from our true selves. The farther we venture into the world, the more we lose track of our inner home.
To find the way back, one must recognise that the mind is a disease and cannot be used as a vehicle towards consciousness. The mind leads us outward, towards objects, not towards our subjective inner self. Life itself, driven by the fear of death and the lust for continuation, cannot be the ultimate end. Meaning comes from something beyond life. When life is taken as the end, it leads to frustration and meaninglessness.
Life originates from and dissolves back into something beyond itself, much like a wave in the ocean. The ocean remains beyond the wave, just as existence transcends life. Krishna asserts that those who become too attached to life lose sight of the existential source from which life originates.
Tags: The Track
