Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
Knowledge that fixates solely on the effect (the physical body) while disregarding the underlying cause is deemed divorced from reality, lacking in rational foundation, and trivial. Such knowledge is rooted in the Ignoble Mode of Nature (Tamasic). (18:22)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् ।
अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्॥
Word-by-word
यत् तु कृत्स्नवत् एकस्मिन् कार्ये सक्तम् अ-हैतुकम्,
अतत्त्व-अर्थ-वत् अल्पम् च— तत् 'तामसम्' उदाहृतम् ।।
Commentary
Verses 18:20-22 convey that genuine knowledge recognizes the presence of the same God in the diverse souls inhabiting different bodies. This knowledge is firmly grounded in the Noble Mode of Nature. Conversely, the perception of souls in distinct bodies as separate entities is deemed Passional and illusory. Finally, the perspective that regards the material body as complete, devoid of any soul or divinity, is deemed superficial, counterfeit, and rooted in the Dark (Tāmasic) Mode of Nature. Such knowledge tends to keep individuals preoccupied with bodily pleasures and materialistic pursuits.