Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18, Verse 25

अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् |
मोहादारभ्यते कर्म यतत्तामसमुच्यते || 25||

anubandhaṁ kṣhayaṁ hinsām anapekṣhya cha pauruṣham
mohād ārabhyate karma yat tat tāmasam uchyate

anubandhamconsequences; kṣhayamloss; hinsāminjury; anapekṣhyaby disregarding; chaand; pauruṣhamone’s own ability; mohātout of delusion; ārabhyateis begun; karmaaction; yatwhich; tatthat; tāmasamin the mode of ignorance; uchyateis declared to be

anubandham kshayam hinsam anapekshya cha paurusham
mohad arabhyate karma yat tat tamasam uchyate

Translation

BG 18.25: That action is declared to be in the mode of ignorance, which is begun out of delusion, without thought to one’s own ability, and disregarding consequences, loss, and injury to others.

Commentary

The intellects of those in tamo guṇa are covered by the fog of ignorance. They are oblivious to or unconcerned with what is right and what is wrong, and are only interested in themselves and their self-interest. They pay no heed to money or resources at hand, or even to the hardships incurred by others. Such work brings harm to them and to others. Shree Krishna uses the word kṣhaya meaning “decay.” Tāmasic action causes decay of one’s health and vitality. It is a waste of effort, a waste of time, and a waste of resources. Typical examples of this are gambling, stealing, corruption, drinking, etc.