Complete learning edition. The Sanskrit source remains separate from attributed word meanings, translation, explanation and commentary witnesses. Diagrams and memory aids are study tools, not replacements for the source text.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम्।।18.47।।
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣham
It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never commits a sin.
English rendering by Shri Purohit Swami. Each source voice remains named.
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| Sanskrit form | Meaning here |
|---|---|
| śhreyān | better |
| swa-dharmaḥ | one’s own prescribed occupational duty |
| viguṇaḥ | imperfectly done |
| para-dharmāt | than another’s dharma |
| su-anuṣhṭhitāt | perfectly done |
| svabhāva-niyatam | according to one’s innate nature |
| karma | duty |
| kurvan | by performing |
| na āpnoti | does not incur |
| kilbiṣham | sin |
Just as a poisonous substance does not harm the worm born in that substance, so he who does his Svadharma (the duty ordained according to his own nature) does not incur any sin. What is poison to the whole world is sweet to a worm and yet sugarcane juice that is sweet causes its death.
Attributed explanatory witness: Swami Sivananda. Chapter lens: Follow the great recapitulation through renunciation, action, knowledge, duty, devotion, refuge and Sañjaya’s conclusion.
Three named reading witnesses
Śaṅkara edition witness
Swami GambiranandaOne's own duty, though defective, is superior to another's duty well performed. By performing a duty according to one's own nature, one does not incur sin.
Rāmānuja edition witness
Swami AdidevanandaBetter is one's own duty, though ill done, than the duty of another, though well-performed. When one does the duty ordained by their own nature, they incur no stain.
Sivananda commentary witness
Swami SivanandaJust as a poisonous substance does not harm the worm born in that substance, so he who does his Svadharma (the duty ordained according to his own nature) does not incur any sin. What is poison to the whole world is sweet to a worm and yet sugarcane juice that is sweet causes its death.
These are concise, attributed reading witnesses from identified editions. They are presented for comparison and are not merged into one anonymous interpretation.
Meaning map
Follow the thought
- 1
It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it
- 2
He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never commits a sin
- 3
śhreyān: better
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