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Darkness, inertness, heedlessness and delusion these arise when Tamas is predominant, O Arjuna.

Darkness, inactivity, heedlessness and delusion: these arise when inertia increases, joy of the Kurus.

When inertia (tamas) dominates, its signs are the reverse of clarity's: aprakāśa, lack of light or understanding; apravṛtti, inactivity or unwillingness to act; carelessness; and moha, delusion. The mind is clouded, motivation fails and judgement goes astray. It is worth noticing that Arjuna's state at the start of the dialogue had elements of tamas: confusion, the wish to withdraw from action and a clouded sense of duty. Read in this light, the whole teaching can be seen as an effort to lift him out of tamas into a clearer state.