O son of Kunti, one should not abandon one's natural duty, even if it has flaws. All undertakings are clouded by some defect, just as fire is veiled by smoke.
— Krishna
❋
Bhagavad Gita · 18.48
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुन्तीनन्दन दोषयुक्त होनेपर भी सहज कर्मका त्याग नहीं करना चाहिये क्योंकि सम्पूर्ण कर्म धुएँसे अग्निकी तरह किसीनकिसी दोषसे युक्त हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
सहजम्naturalकर्मaction, dutyकौन्तेयO son of Kuntiसदोषम्with faultअपिevenनnotत्यजेत्should abandonसर्वारम्भाःall undertakingsहिindeedदोषेणby fault/defectधूमेनby smokeअग्निःfireइवlikeआवृताःcovered
Read literallynatural · action, duty · O son of Kunti · with fault · even · not · should abandon · all undertakings · indeed · by fault/defect · by smoke · fire · like · covered
Understanding the verse
✦
All work carries some fault, Krishna says, the way smoke covers fire, so keep your natural duty.
Do not give up your natural duty just because it is imperfect. Every action has some flaw in it.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna continues guiding Arjuna after praising one’s own duty. He now warns him not to reject his natural role because it is imperfect. The battlefield decision still stands, and this verse takes away the excuse of imperfection.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A farmer knows every season will bring some pest, some loss, some argument with the mandi agent. Krishna's smoke-and-fire image tells him to keep farming anyway, since flaws come with every kind of work.
The takeaway
“You can stay committed without demanding perfection from yourself or your work.”
Do not give up your natural duty just because it is imperfect. Every action has some flaw in it.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.48?
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 18.48?
Verse 48 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 18.48 matter today?
A farmer knows every season will bring some pest, some loss, some argument with the mandi agent. Krishna's smoke-and-fire image tells him to keep farming anyway, since flaws come with every kind of work.
All work carries some fault, Krishna says, the way smoke covers fire, so keep your natural duty.
What this verse means
Do not give up your natural duty just because it is imperfect. Every action has some flaw in it.
Context & commentary
Krishna continues guiding Arjuna after praising one’s own duty. He now warns him not to reject his natural role because it is imperfect. The battlefield decision still stands, and this verse takes away the excuse of imperfection.
What it looks like today
A farmer knows every season will bring some pest, some loss, some argument with the mandi agent. Krishna's smoke-and-fire image tells him to keep farming anyway, since flaws come with every kind of work.
“You can stay committed without demanding perfection from yourself or your work.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses)