Shloka 20

तमोगुण-निरूपण

Analysis of Tamas and its Marks

Devanagari script

अतिवादो>तितिक्षा च मात्सर्यमभिमानिता | अश्रद्दधानता चैव तामसं वृत्तमिष्यते,अतिवाद, अक्षमा, मत्सरता, अभिमान और अश्रद्धाको भी तमोगुणका बर्ताव माना गया है

Transliteration

ativādo 'titikṣā ca mātsaryam abhimānitā | aśraddadhānatā caiva tāmasaṁ vṛttam iṣyate ||

Translation

Vāyu said: Excessive contentious speech, intolerance (lack of forbearance), envy, self-conceit, and disbelief are all regarded as modes of conduct born of tamas (darkness and inertia). In ethical terms, these traits cloud discernment and pull a person away from disciplined, dharmic behavior.

Word by Word

अतिवादःexcessive speech/over-assertion

अतितिक्षाexcessive forbearance/endurance

चand

मात्सर्यम्envy/jealousy

अभिमानिताpride/arrogance (being self-conceited)

अश्रद्दधानताlack of faith/disbelief

चand

एवindeed/just

तामसम्tamasic (of darkness/ignorance)

वृत्तम्conduct/behavior

इष्यतेis considered/held to be

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vāyu (Vāyudeva)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse defines tamasic conduct by listing traits that arise from mental darkness and inertia—contentious speech, intolerance, envy, pride, and lack of faith—implying that ethical life requires cultivating clarity, restraint, and trust in dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyudeva is speaking in an instructive mode, classifying human dispositions according to the guṇas and warning that certain behaviors are signs of tamas, thereby guiding the listener toward more sattvic and disciplined conduct.