Geetanjali

Bhagavad Geeta 17.19

Sanskrit

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः।परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।17.19।।

mūḍha-grāheṇātmano yat pīḍayā kriyate tapaḥ parasyotsādanārthaṁ vā tat tāmasam udāhṛitam

Meaning

Self-discipline rooted in ego or harm—whether to yourself or others—destroys value. True strength builds, never demolishes.

Translation

That austerity which is undertaken with a foolish intent, causing pain to oneself or for the destruction of others, is said to be born of tamas.

Related Topics

This verse relates to the following principles from the Bhagavad Geeta: