सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे कुन्तीनन्दन दोषयुक्त होनेपर भी सहज कर्मका त्याग नहीं करना चाहिये क्योंकि सम्पूर्ण कर्म धुएँसे अग्निकी तरह किसीनकिसी दोषसे युक्त हैं ॥
English
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.
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
On Kurukshetra, 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 removes the excuse of “not ideal.”
Why this verse still matters
You are about to send the apology, start the difficult conversation, or take the job that fits your values but feels messy. Imperfection is not a reason to freeze.
The takeaway
You can stay committed without demanding perfection from yourself or your work.
Word-by-word translation
सहजम् (natural) / कर्म (action, duty) / कौन्तेय (O son of Kunti) / सदोषम् (with fault) / अपि (even) / न (not) / त्यजेत् (should abandon) / सर्वारम्भाः (all undertakings) / हि (indeed) / दोषेण (by fault/defect) / धूमेन (by smoke) / अग्निः (fire) / इव (like) / आवृताः (covered)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18: Moksha Sanyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation, which contains 78 verses.
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses)