Tamasic
/təˈmɑː.sɪk/noun
Relating to tamas, the quality of inertia, darkness, ignorance, or lethargy in Sāṃkhya and related Hindu philosophy.
Did you know?In the Bhagavad Gita, tamas is one of three guṇas—fundamental qualities of nature—alongside rajas, associated with activity, and sattva, associated with clarity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*temH-es-os
“Reconstructed form associated with darkness or obscurity; the exact historical relationship remains debated.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
tamas
“Darkness, gloom, mental dullness, or ignorance.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
tamas
“One of the three guṇas, the principle of inertia, obscurity, heaviness, and delusion.”
Ancient Indian Philosophy
Sanskrit
tāmasa
“Of or relating to tamas; characterized by darkness, lethargy, or ignorance.”
19th Century
English
tamasic
“Adopted into English scholarly and philosophical writing as an adjective relating to tamas.”
Modern English
English
tamasic
“Relating to a state of passivity, inertia, dullness, or spiritual obscurity.”