मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः ।
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
परस्योत्सादनार्थं वा तत्तामसमुदाहृतम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो तप मूढ़तापूर्वक हठसे अपनेको पीड़ा देकर अथवा दूसरोंको कष्ट देनेके लिये किया जाता है, वह तप तामस कहा गया है ॥
English
Austerity done with foolish stubbornness, by torturing oneself or harming others, is called tamasic.
What this verse means
Austerity becomes dark and mistaken when it is done through foolish self-torture or to hurt other people.
Context & commentary
Krishna is still teaching Arjuna on the battlefield, where confusion could easily turn into harshness. After describing pure and showy forms of austerity, he names the third kind: painful, stubborn, and harmful practice. That kind belongs to ignorance.
Why this verse still matters
You force yourself through a brutal routine because you think suffering proves commitment. Or you use harshness to control someone else. Krishna calls that confusion, not strength.
The takeaway
Real discipline should make you clearer and kinder, not harsher toward yourself or others.
Word-by-word translation
मूढग्राहेण (with foolish stubbornness) / आत्मनः (of oneself) / यत् (which) / पीडया (by pain) / क्रियते (is done) / तपः (austerity) / परस्य (of others) / उत्सादनार्थम् (for harming) / वा (or) / तत् (that) / तामसम् (tamasic) / उदाहृतम् (is said)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Kinds of Faith, which contains 28 verses.
Explore related themes: tapas (22 verses), discipline (14 verses)