Shloka 32
Vimokṣa-niścaya: Pañcaśikha’s Analysis of Aggregates, Guṇas, and Tyāga (मोक्षनिर्णयः)
तमसा लोभयुक्तानि क्रोधजानि च सेवते । हिंसाविहाराभिरतस्तन्द्रीनिद्रासमन्वित:,तमोगुणद्वारा मनुष्य लोभ और क्रोधजनित कर्मोंका सेवन करता है, हिंसात्मक कर्मामें उसकी विशेष आसक्ति हो जाती है, तथा वह हर समय निद्रा-तन्द्रासे घिरा रहता है
tamasā lobhayuktāni krodhajāni ca sevate | hiṃsāvihārābhiratas tandrīnidrāsamanvitaḥ ||
Bhishma said: Under the sway of the quality of darkness (tamas), a person indulges in actions driven by greed and born of anger. He becomes especially attached to violent pursuits, and remains continually enveloped by lethargy and sleep.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse characterizes tamas as a force that pushes a person toward greed- and anger-born actions, attachment to violence, and a life dominated by lethargy and sleep—thereby indicating what should be recognized and restrained for ethical living.
In the Shanti Parva’s instruction on dharma and conduct, Bhishma is explaining to Yudhishthira the behavioral signs of the guṇas; here he describes the tamasic disposition and its moral consequences.