शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च ।
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ॥
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
मनका निग्रह करना इन्द्रियोंको वशमें करना धर्मपालनके लिये कष्ट सहना बाहरभीतरसे शुद्ध रहना दूसरोंके अपराधको क्षमा करना शरीर, मन आदिमें सरलता रखना वेद, शास्त्र आदिका ज्ञान होना यज्ञविधिको अनुभवमें लाना और परमात्मा, वेद आदिमें आस्तिक भाव रखना ये सबकेसब ब्राह्मणके स्वाभाविक कर्म हैं ॥
English
Self-restraint, control of the senses, austerity, purity, forgiveness, honesty, knowledge, realization, and faith in the supreme reality are the natural duties of a brahmin.
What this verse means
A person's natural work can include self-control, purity, forgiveness, honesty, knowledge, and trust in the supreme reality. These qualities belong to a brahmin by nature.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna is explaining how human nature divides different kinds of work. After describing the qualities of brahmin life, he lists the inner disciplines that define it: calmness, self-control, purity, forgiveness, straightforwardness, knowledge, realization, and faith.
Why this verse still matters
Before a difficult conversation, you can feel the urge to bluff, snap, or hide. This verse points to a different strength: stay clean in speech, steady in mind, and honest in intent.
The takeaway
Character is not random; it is trained through steady restraint, honesty, and inner cleanliness.
Word-by-word translation
शमः (control of the mind) / दमः (control of the senses) / तपः (austerity) / शौचम् (purity) / क्षान्तिः (forgiveness) / आर्जवम् (straightforwardness) / एव (indeed) / च (and) / ज्ञानम् (knowledge) / विज्ञानम् (realized understanding) / आस्तिक्यम् (faith) / ब्रह्मकर्म (brahmin duty) / स्वभावजम् (born of nature)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: tapas (22 verses)