Bhagavad Gita 18.47 — One's Own Duty, Though Imperfect, Is Better Than Another's Well Performed
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।
स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ १८.४७ ॥
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One's own duty, even if imperfect, is better than another's duty well performed. By performing the duty ordained by one's own nature, one incurs no sin.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhreyān | better |
| svadharmaḥ | one's own duty |
| viguṇaḥ | imperfect, even if lacking in merit |
| paradharmāt | than another's duty |
| svanuṣhṭhitāt | well performed |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| svabhāvaniyatam | ordained by one's nature |
| karma | duty |
| kurvan | performing |
| na | not |
| āpnoti | incurs |
| kilbiṣham | sin, fault |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| śhreyān | better | svabhāvaniyatam | ordained by one's nature |
| svadharmaḥ | one's own duty | karma | duty |
| viguṇaḥ | imperfect, even if lacking in merit | kurvan | performing |
| paradharmāt | than another's duty | na | not |
| svanuṣhṭhitāt | well performed | āpnoti | incurs |
| kilbiṣham | sin, fault | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna gives a clear principle about duty. One's own duty, even if imperfectly performed, is better than the duty of another well performed, and a person who performs the work assigned by their own nature incurs no sin.
Essence
The value of your own path
Lord Krishna now speaks directly to Arjuna's situation. Arjuna had been tempted to abandon his own duty as a warrior and take up a different path, which seemed more peaceful. This verse addresses that temptation and offers a lasting principle.
Śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ (one's own duty, though lacking in merit, is better): The word viguṇa means defective or imperfect. Even if a person performs their own duty with flaws, it is still more valuable for them than excellent performance of someone else's duty.
Para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt (than another's duty well performed): Imitating a path that does not suit one's own nature may look impressive, but it is hollow and unstable. A person doing another's work will often be anxious, forced, and uncomfortable.
Svabhāva-niyataṁ karma (work ordained by one's own nature): The duty that arises from one's own disposition is the natural one.
Kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam (doing it, one incurs no sin): A person who follows the work that truly belongs to them does not fall into the guilt and inner conflict that come from forcing oneself onto an unsuitable path.
A note on understanding this verse
This verse should not be taken as an excuse for laziness or for staying in a situation that is clearly harmful, and it does not forbid a person from growing, learning, or changing a career when their nature and circumstances genuinely call for it. Its point is to warn against being swept along by comparison and imitation, abandoning one's real calling in favour of what appears glamorous or easy. The test is whether one is acting from honest understanding of one's own nature, or from envy and restlessness.
Message for Everyday Life (Resisting the Comparison Trap)
In an age of constant comparison, it is tempting to measure our lives against those of others and to wonder whether we have chosen the wrong path.
A grounding question: Ask yourself, Am I drawn to this other path because it truly suits me, or only because it looks better from outside? Honest answers help us commit more fully to the work that is truly ours.
The value of your own path
Lord Krishna now speaks directly to Arjuna's situation. Arjuna had been tempted to abandon his own duty as a warrior and take up a different path, which seemed more peaceful. This verse addresses that temptation and offers a lasting principle.
Śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ (one's own duty, though lacking in merit, is better): The word viguṇa means defective or imperfect. Even if a person performs their own duty with flaws, it is still more valuable for them than excellent performance of someone else's duty.
Para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt (than another's duty well performed): Imitating a path that does not suit one's own nature may look impressive, but it is hollow and unstable. A person doing another's work will often be anxious, forced, and uncomfortable.
Svabhāva-niyataṁ karma (work ordained by one's own nature): The duty that arises from one's own disposition is the natural one.
Kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam (doing it, one incurs no sin): A person who follows the work that truly belongs to them does not fall into the guilt and inner conflict that come from forcing oneself onto an unsuitable path.
A note on understanding this verse
This verse should not be taken as an excuse for laziness or for staying in a situation that is clearly harmful, and it does not forbid a person from growing, learning, or changing a career when their nature and circumstances genuinely call for it. Its point is to warn against being swept along by comparison and imitation, abandoning one's real calling in favour of what appears glamorous or easy. The test is whether one is acting from honest understanding of one's own nature, or from envy and restlessness.
Message for Everyday Life (Resisting the Comparison Trap)
In an age of constant comparison, it is tempting to measure our lives against those of others and to wonder whether we have chosen the wrong path.
A grounding question: Ask yourself, Am I drawn to this other path because it truly suits me, or only because it looks better from outside? Honest answers help us commit more fully to the work that is truly ours.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has praised the value of one's own natural duty. In the next verse, He addresses a natural doubt: what if one's own duty has some fault in it? He explains that it should not be abandoned for that reason.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Be your own kind of good.
Another's path is not a better path for you.
Imperfect effort on your own road beats borrowed perfection.
Duty that fits brings quiet.
Practice improves what is truly yours.
Admire others without becoming them.
Start from who you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'svadharma' (one's own duty) in this verse?
What does 'viguṇaḥ' (imperfect, lacking merit) mean here?
Why is 'paradharma' (another's duty) described as inferior even when 'svanuṣhṭhitāt' (well performed)?
What does 'kilbiṣham' (sin, fault) mean in this verse?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
Explore related topics
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