Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.35 श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः
श्लोक 3.35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥
śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt |
svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अच्छी तरह निभाए गए दूसरे के धर्म से, कमियों वाला अपना धर्म श्रेष्ठ है। अपने धर्म में मरना भी कल्याणकारी है, जबकि दूसरे का धर्म भय देने वाला है।
Meaning in English
Better is one's own duty, even if imperfectly done, than another's duty done well. Better to die in one's own duty; another's duty is full of danger.
Bhagavad Gita 3.35 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| श्रेयान् | śreyān | better |
| स्वधर्मः | sva-dharmaḥ | one's own duty |
| विगुणः | viguṇaḥ | imperfectly done |
| परधर्मात् | para-dharmāt | than another's duty |
| स्वनुष्ठितात् | sv-anuṣṭhitāt | well performed |
| स्वधर्मे | sva-dharme | in one's own duty |
| निधनम् | nidhanam | death |
| श्रेयः | śreyaḥ | is better |
| परधर्मः | para-dharmaḥ | another's duty |
| भयावहः | bhayāvahaḥ | is full of danger |
Explanation
It is better to do one's own duty, even imperfectly, than to do another's duty well. Better even to die in one's own duty; another's duty is full of danger.
Svadharma is the duty that fits one's own nature, stage of life and responsibilities. Arjuna wanted to leave a warrior's duty for a renunciate's life; Krishna tells him that taking up another's path out of fear or imitation leads to inner conflict. The teaching returns, in almost the same words, in 18.47.
भावार्थ
अच्छी तरह से किए गए दूसरे के धर्म की अपेक्षा गुणरहित होने पर भी अपना धर्म श्रेष्ठ है। अपने धर्म में मरना भी कल्याणकारी है; दूसरे का धर्म भय देने वाला है।
Living it today
Don't measure your path against others'. Carry out your own responsibilities sincerely, even when someone else's look more attractive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.35?
It is better to do one's own duty, even imperfectly, than to do another's duty well. Better even to die in one's own duty; another's duty is full of danger.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.35?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.35 in daily life?
Don't measure your path against others'. Carry out your own responsibilities sincerely, even when someone else's look more attractive.
Reflected on verse 3.35?
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