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Significance of Tama

Tama, as described in Vaishnavism and various other philosophical traditions, refers to a state characterized by darkness, ignorance, and inertia. It embodies ignorance that hinders learning, leads to repeated mistakes, and binds the soul in the cycle of Samsara. This quality influences actions and mental states, causing lethargy and confusion. Tama is recognized in the context of spiritual development as an obstacle to enlightenment and liberation, playing a significant role in the manifestation of the three Gunas that shape existence and consciousness.1
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The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Tama'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Tama signifies darkness, ignorance, and inertia, representing stagnation and lethargy. It embodies qualities that obstruct spiritual growth and liberation, characterizing the Kali Age and serving as an obstacle to understanding one's true nature.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The quality of darkness and ignorance that leads to lethargy and confusion.[1] (2) One of the three Gunas (qualities) representing darkness and ignorance, essential in the manifestation of the Mahat Tattva.[2]

From: Garuda Purana

(1) The quality of darkness and ignorance that contributes to inertia and confusion.[3] (2) One of the various names of hell.[4]

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) A quality representing ignorance or darkness, forming a significant characteristic of certain low classes of beings.[5]

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) A state of darkness or ignorance, also refers to a primordial state before creation.[6]

From: Markandeya Purana

(1) A hell characterized by extreme cold and darkness, where inhabitants suffer from hunger and thirst while seeking refuge from each other.[7]

From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha

(1) The quality of darkness or ignorance that binds the soul in the cycle of Samsara.[8]

From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)

(1) Refers to the state of ignorance or darkness, often linked to the quality of inertia or lethargy in actions.[9]

From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)

(1) Tamas refers to the quality of darkness or ignorance that became predominant in the Dvapara Yuga.[10]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Thirty minor Upanishads

(1) A state characterized by inertia and darkness, which the Jiva experiences in dreamless sleep.[11] (2) Darkness or a state of absence of light, from which various elements of creation evolved.[12]

From: Taittiriya Upanishad

(1) In the context of the text, it refers to ignorance or nescience, which is the obstacle to attaining liberation and understanding one's true nature.[13]

From: Vivekachudamani

(1) A state that is destroyed by both Sattva and Rajas.[14]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) A characteristic of ignorance and darkness, describing people who fail to learn from their experiences and thus continue to make the same mistakes.[15]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) The mode of ignorance that is absent in Janaloka, indicating that there is no true darkness in that realm.[16]

From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya

(1) A state of gross ignorance which leads individuals to see distinctions in divine attributes.[17]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) a concept representing a quality or state associated with darkness, inertia, or confusion.[18]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)

(1) The quality embodying solidity, inertia, obstruction, and resistance, often linked with lethargy and ignorance.[19]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):
Vyakarana Books

From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari

(1) The third guna representing darkness, inertia, and resistance, corresponding to properties such as varanam (opposition), tirobhava (disappearance), and sthitih (stability).[20]

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

The concept of Tama in local and regional sources

History Books

Tama represents a state of darkness and ignorance in consciousness, characterized by inertia and negativity. It binds individuals through wrong perceptions, similar to the ancient mariner's ignorance when he harms the albatross, denoting a lower state of existence.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) The term refers to the state of dark ignorance, which is being drowned by the country and is something that the nation needs to overcome by the opposite tide of Rajas, as stated in the text.[21] (2) This represents the quality of idleness, one of the three qualities present in everyone, which can predominate at different times and is related to the state of being bound.[22] (3) Tamas is a quality or aspect of human nature, and the masses are stated to be engulfed in Tamas, and only among the monks could Rajas and Sattva be found.[23] (4) This represents darkness or inactivity, and is one of the three forces according to the Sankhya philosophy, which are manifested in the physical world, and is found in every person.[24] (5) This refers to darkness, inertia, and negativity, as indicated in the text.[25]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The initial state of ignorance and darkness represented by the ancient mariner when he commits the act of shooting the albatross.[26] (2) The mode associated with darkness, inertia, and ignorance, representing a lower state of existence in the poem's context.[27] (3) A psychic factor in the doctrine of the 鈥榞una鈥檚 representing inertia, darkness, or ignorance, equated with the Freudian 'id' as a fundamental element of the psyche.[28] (4) A state of darkness in consciousness characterized by ignorance, despondency, and inertia.[29]