yat tu kṛitsna-vad ekasmin kārye saktam ahaitukam
atattvārtha-vad alpaṁ cha tat tāmasam udāhṛitam
yat — which;
tu — but;
kṛitsna-vat — as if it encompasses the whole;
ekasmin — in single;
kārye — action;
saktam — engrossed;
ahaitukam — without a reason;
atattva-artha-vat — not based on truth;
alpam — fragmental;
cha — and;
tat — that;
tāmasam — in the mode of ignorance;
udāhṛitam — is said to be
This verse speaks about a kind of knowledge that can be very limited and is often rooted in ignorance. It describes a situation where someone is so focused on just one task or type of work that they ignore everything else, thinking it's the most important thing in life. This kind of knowledge is called 'taamasik' or 'in the mode of darkness'.
Imagine a person who thinks that making money is the only goal in life. They might work day and night, earn a lot, but if they don't understand more profound truths about life, like kindness, love, or the importance of relationships, they are living in ignorance. All their knowledge is only about satisfying their basic needs – like eating, sleeping, and having fun. They don’t think about deeper questions about who they are or why they are here. This is similar to animals that focus just on their basic instincts.
The verse suggests that this limited knowledge doesn’t connect them to a higher truth or purpose in life. Instead of searching for wisdom through books or the guidance of wise teachers, they just rely on what seems obvious to them in their immediate experience. For example, if someone believes wealth is everything, they may ignore moral values, health, or spiritual growth.
This knowledge can also lead to narrow-mindedness; it lacks the ability to understand or appreciate different perspectives or complexities in life. Think of it this way: someone who only studies a single page of a vast book won’t know the complete story. They might have a few facts, but they will miss the bigger picture.
In contrast, knowledge that embraces spirituality and the essence of who we are as beings goes beyond just satisfying physical desires. This kind of understanding helps us connect with others and recognize that there is more to life than just our immediate sensory experiences. This is referred to as 'knowledge in the mode of goodness'.
On the other hand, knowledge that leads to endless theories and arguments, without looking for practical applications in life, comes from 'passion'. It gets people debating about what is right or wrong based on their opinions, often leading to confusion rather than clarity.
In summary, this verse encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of life that goes beyond simple tasks, physical comfort, or material gain. It asks us to reflect on our priorities and consider focusing on what truly matters — our relationships, inner peace, and the greater truths that connect us to each other and the universe.