अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च।
तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन।। १४.१३ ।।
Summary Translation:
When there is an increase in the mode of ignorance, O son of Kuru, darkness, inertia, madness and illusion are manifested.
In this verse, Lord Krishna defines the Darkness of Tamas Guna (the mode of ignorance). He lists the Indicators of its dominance: aprakasah (absence of light), apravrttih (inertia/inactivity), pramadah (heedlessness), and mohah (delusion). This analysis presents Tamas as the Stagnation of the soul. When Tamas is vivrddhe (increased), the individual becomes Paralyzed. Aprakasah is the Blindness where one cannot Discern truth from falsehood. Apravrttih is the Refusal to perform one's Duty (Dharma). The most Dangerous symptom is mohah—a total Delusion where the soul mistakes its Bondage for Freedom. In a religious sense, this shloka explains the Cause of Evil and suffering. Unlike Rajas, which is Busy, Tamas is Dead. It is the mode of Denial and unconsciousness. Krishna addresses Arjuna as Kurunandana, Warning him that the Confusion he felt at the start of the battle was a Manifestation of this mode. This verse provides the Diagnostic for the Sleep of the spirit. By Recognizing these symptoms, a seeker can Awaken through the practice of Vigilance. The detailed interpretation emphasizes that Tamas Buries the soul's potential under a Mountain of laziness and error. It suggests that as long as one is under mohah (delusion), they are Incapable of spiritual progress. Thus, this shloka acts as a Alarm, urging the soul to Rise from the darkness into the light of the Father.