One's own duty, though imperfect, is better than another's duty well performed. Doing the work set by one's nature, a person does not incur wrongdoing.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 18.47
Hindi · हिन्दी
अच्छी तरहसे अनुष्ठान किये हुए परधर्मसे गुणरहित अपना धर्म श्रेष्ठ है । कारण कि स्वभावसे नियत किये हुए स्वधर्मरूप कर्मको करता हुआ मनुष्य पापको प्राप्त नहीं होता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
श्रेयान्betterस्वधर्मःone's own dutyविगुणःwithout qualities, imperfectपरधर्मात्than another's dutyस्वनुष्ठितात्well performedस्वभावनियतंfixed by one's own natureकर्मaction, workकुर्वन्doingनnotआप्नोतिattainsकिल्बिषम्wrongdoing, fault
Read literallybetter · one's own duty · without qualities, imperfect · than another's duty · well performed · fixed by one's own nature · action, work · doing · not · attains · wrongdoing, fault
Understanding the verse
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Svadharma done imperfectly beats another's dharma done well, Krishna says, and brings no sin.
It is better to do your own duty, even imperfectly, than to do someone else's duty well. Acting according to your nature does not lead you into wrongdoing.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
After teaching sacrifice and devotion through work, Krishna now sharpens the point: the duty born of your own nature is safer than copying someone else's path.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A son trained as an engineer is tempted to join his uncle's flashy property business because relatives admire it. Krishna would have him stick with the work that fits his nature, even done imperfectly, over a borrowed role done well.
The takeaway
“You can stop measuring yourself against other people's lives. Peace comes from doing what is actually yours.”
It is better to do your own duty, even imperfectly, than to do someone else's duty well. Acting according to your nature does not lead you into wrongdoing.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.47?
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 18.47?
Verse 47 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 18.47 matter today?
A son trained as an engineer is tempted to join his uncle's flashy property business because relatives admire it. Krishna would have him stick with the work that fits his nature, even done imperfectly, over a borrowed role done well.
Svadharma done imperfectly beats another's dharma done well, Krishna says, and brings no sin.
What this verse means
It is better to do your own duty, even imperfectly, than to do someone else's duty well. Acting according to your nature does not lead you into wrongdoing.
Context & commentary
After teaching sacrifice and devotion through work, Krishna now sharpens the point: the duty born of your own nature is safer than copying someone else's path.
What it looks like today
A son trained as an engineer is tempted to join his uncle's flashy property business because relatives admire it. Krishna would have him stick with the work that fits his nature, even done imperfectly, over a borrowed role done well.
“You can stop measuring yourself against other people's lives. Peace comes from doing what is actually yours.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses)