यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम्।
अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।18.22।।
।।18.22।। और जिस ज्ञान के द्वारा मनुष्य एक कार्य (शरीर) में ही आसक्त हो जाता है? मानो वह (कार्य ही) पूर्ण वस्तु हो तथा जो (ज्ञान) हेतुरहित (अयुक्तिक)? तत्त्वार्थ से रहित तथा संकुचित (अल्प) है? वह (ज्ञान) तामस है।।
One who clings to a single activity in a stagnant and obstinate manner such as the worship of an impersonal conception of God and considers that such an insignificant activity has the highest perfection in existence to the exclusion of all other possibilities and not considering any other conception as tenable and in stagnation ceases to develop and grow is the epitome of one shackled in tama guna. The word ahaitakam means irrational, without reason, imagining that which gives meagre results to give great results. The words attatva-arthavat means devoid of reality, without substantiation of the Vedic scriptures. The word alpan means limited in scope and relates to foolish, trivial pagan acts such as worshiping ghosts and spirits for material power. So thus showing how the three gunas or modes of material nature have a direct effect on the knowledge possessed by the performer of any action; Lord Krishna will next expound upon their direct influence upon actions themselves.
