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.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 18.42
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 ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
शमःcontrol of the mindदमःcontrol of the sensesतपःausterityशौचम्purityक्षान्तिःforgivenessआर्जवम्straightforwardnessएवindeedचandज्ञानम्knowledgeविज्ञानम्realized understandingआस्तिक्यम्faithब्रह्मकर्मbrahmin dutyस्वभावजम्born of nature
Read literallycontrol of the mind · control of the senses · austerity · purity · forgiveness · straightforwardness · indeed · and · knowledge · realized understanding · faith · brahmin duty · born of nature
Understanding the verse
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It shifts duty from outer status to inner formation: the right work grows from the qualities you cultivate.
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.
02
On the battlefield
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.
03
In your life
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.”
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.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.42?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 18.42?
Verse 42 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 18.42 matter today?
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.
It shifts duty from outer status to inner formation: the right work grows from the qualities you cultivate.
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.
“Character is not random; it is trained through steady restraint, honesty, and inner cleanliness.”
Explore related themes: tapas (22 verses)