Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.48 सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्
श्लोक 18.48
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥
sahajaṃ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet |
sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे कौन्तेय! स्वभाव से प्राप्त कर्म को, दोषयुक्त होने पर भी, नहीं छोड़ना चाहिए, क्योंकि जैसे आग धुएँ से ढकी रहती है, वैसे ही हर कार्य किसी न किसी दोष से घिरा होता है।
Meaning in English
O Kaunteya, one should not give up the work one is born to, even if it has flaws, for every undertaking is clouded by some defect, as fire is by smoke.
Bhagavad Gita 18.48 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सहजम् | sahajam | born with one, natural |
| कर्म | karma | work |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | O son of Kunti |
| सदोषम् अपि | sa-doṣam api | even if imperfect |
| न त्यजेत् | na tyajet | one should not give up |
| सर्वारम्भाः | sarva-ārambhāḥ | all undertakings |
| हि दोषेण | hi doṣeṇa | indeed by imperfection |
| धूमेन अग्निः इव | dhūmena agniḥ iva | as fire by smoke |
| आवृताः | āvṛtāḥ | are covered |
Explanation
One should not give up the work that is natural to one, O son of Kunti, even if it has some imperfection; for all undertakings are covered by imperfection, as fire is by smoke.
No work is flawless — every fire gives some smoke. So instead of abandoning our duty in search of a perfect one, we should do it with devotion and accept its limits.
भावार्थ
हे कौन्तेय, अपने स्वाभाविक कर्म को दोषयुक्त होने पर भी नहीं छोड़ना चाहिए; क्योंकि जैसे धुएँ से अग्नि ढकी रहती है, वैसे ही सब कर्म किसी न किसी दोष से युक्त होते हैं।
Living it today
Don't wait for the perfect job or the perfect moment — do your present duty well.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.48?
One should not give up the work that is natural to one, O son of Kunti, even if it has some imperfection; for all undertakings are covered by imperfection, as fire is by smoke.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.48?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.48 in daily life?
Don't wait for the perfect job or the perfect moment — do your present duty well.
Reflected on verse 18.48?
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