Commentary

Commentary

The tamasic doer is described with a series of damning qualities that paint the picture of a person completely dominated by ignorance. Each quality is a symptom of a life disconnected from higher purpose.

Ayuktah — they do not follow scriptural injunctions. Praakritah — they are materialistic and vulgar in their outlook. Stabdhah — obstinate and closed to correction. Shathah — deceitful, willing to cheat and manipulate. Naishkritikah — expert in insulting and demeaning others. Alasah — profoundly lazy, unwilling to make any effort toward self-improvement.

Two final qualities complete the portrait: vishaadee — always morose, depressed, seeing gloom everywhere; and deergha-sootree — a procrastinator who endlessly delays what needs to be done. What could be accomplished in an hour, such a person drags out for years.

The scriptural instructions tell us clearly what to do and what to avoid. Those who ignore these instructions and act according to whim are materialistic by nature. They act according to the dictates of the gunas, not according to scripture. Such doers are never refined or civilised in their dealings. They are generally deceitful, rude to others, and extremely lazy. These are the defining marks of a tamasic doer.