18.35 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 18, Verse 35

Bhagavad Gita verse 18.35 describes determination in the mode of ignorance (tamas). This verse follows Krishna's explanation of how intelligence functions under the three gunas (qualities of nature), and now focuses on dṛti (inner strength or determination) that sustains effort, specifically examining its tamasic manifestation.

In this verse, Krishna characterizes tamasic determination as one where a person with distorted understanding (durmedhā) stubbornly clings to negative mental states: excessive sleep (svapna), fear (bhaya), lamentation (śoka), despair (viṣāda), and conceit or intoxication (mada). The key phrase "na vimuñcati" indicates that such a person refuses to give up these destructive mental patterns despite their harmful effects.

This form of determination represents a misguided strength. It's not that tamasic individuals lack willpower—rather, their willpower is directed toward maintaining their suffering. For instance, some people tenaciously hold onto fear as though it were an essential part of their identity, while others cling to past disappointments, refusing to release them despite seeing how these thoughts damage their present life.

The verse illuminates an interesting paradox: even negative behaviors and thought patterns require a form of determination to maintain. Someone who remains trapped in grief for years, or who continues harmful habits despite knowing their destructive impact, is displaying a form of determination—albeit one directed downward rather than toward growth.

Such determination manifests when people make their mental suffering a permanent fixture of their personality. They might insist on quarreling with anyone who hurts their ego, or they might retreat into excessive sleep and dream states rather than facing reality. These behaviors reflect a stubborn attachment to unproductive thoughts that Krishna identifies as being in the mode of ignorance.

What makes this determination particularly destructive is that it creates a self-reinforcing cycle. The more one indulges in fear, grief, or despair, the stronger these emotions become, making it increasingly difficult to break free from their grip. Unlike sattvic determination that uplifts or even rajasic determination that at least pursues material goals, tamasic determination imprisons the individual in self-created suffering.

Understanding this verse helps us recognize when our own determination might be misdirected. It invites self-reflection: Are we using our inner strength to cling to negative patterns, or are we directing it toward positive growth? By identifying tamasic determination in ourselves, we gain the opportunity to redirect our willpower toward more constructive paths that lead to spiritual evolution rather than stagnation.