The “actions” (Karma) of the ‘dull’ type (Tamasic) are performed without any consideration for the consequences thereof, without any regard for their loss of power or vitality. Such actors never care for the loss or injury caused to others by their actions, nor do they pay any attention to their own status and ability, when they act. All such careless and irresponsible “actions” (Karma s) undertaken merely because of some delusory misconception of the goal, fall under the Tamasic type. Habits of drinking, reckless gambling, corruption, etc., are all examples of the dull (Tamasic) “actions.”

Such people have no regard for the consequences of their actions. Ere long, they lose their vitality, and injure all those who are depending upon them. They surrender their dignity and status, their capacities and subtle faculties — all for the sake of their pursuit of a certain delusory goal in life. All they demand is a temporary joy of some sense gratification and a tickling satisfaction of some fancy of the hour.

“Actions” of this type (Tamasic) immediately provide the performer with a substantial dividend of sorrow. Rajasic “action” comparatively takes a longer time to bring its quota of disappointments and sorrows, while Sattwic “action” is always steady and blissful.

THE THREE KINDS OF ‘DOERS’ (ACTORS) ARE DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING STANZA:

Tat, that; karma, action; yat, which; is arabhyate, undertaken; mohat, out of delusion, non-discrimination; anapeksya, without consideration of; its anubandham, consequence, the result which accrues later; ksayam, loss-that losss which is incurred in the form of loss of energy or loss of wealth in the course of any action; himsam, harm, suffering to creatures; and paurusam, ability, prowess-one’s own ability fest as, ‘I shall be able to complete this task’;-without consideration of these, from ‘consequence’ to ‘ability’, ucyate, is said to be; tamasam, born of tamas.