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Bhagavad Gita 18.48

Chapter 18, Verse 48

Part of 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yogमोक्षसंन्यासयोग

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः॥

Transliteration

saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣham api na tyajet sarvārambhā hi doṣheṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛitāḥ

Meaning

One should not, O Arjuna, abandon the duty to which one is born, though it may be faulty; for, all undertakings are enveloped by evil, just as fire is by smoke.

Word-by-word meaning
saha-jamborn of one’s naturekarmadutykaunteyaArjun, the son of Kuntisa-doṣhamwith defectsapieven ifna tyajetone should not abandonsarva-ārambhāḥall endeavorshiindeeddoṣheṇawith evildhūmenawith smokeagniḥfireivaasāvṛitāḥveiled
Commentary

Sahajam Born with oneself born with the birth of man. Sadosham Faculty for everything is constituted of the three Gunas. All undertakings Ones own as well as others duties. If a Vaisya or a Kshatriya does the duties of a Brahmana he will not in any way be benefited. Anothers duty brings in fear. Therefore it is not proper to perform anothers duty. It is not possible for any man who has no knowledge of the Self to relinish action totally therefore he should not abandon action.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 48?
One should not, O Arjuna, abandon the duty to which one is born, though it may be faulty; for, all undertakings are enveloped by evil, just as fire is by smoke.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 48 of Chapter 18 (Mokṣha Sanyās Yog — Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.