Bhagavad Gita 18.48 — Do Not Abandon Natural Duty Because of Its Defects
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥ १८.४८ ॥
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One should not abandon the duty born of one's nature, O son of Kuntī, even if it is defective, for all undertakings are covered by defects, as fire is covered by smoke.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sahajam | born of one's nature, natural |
| karma | duty |
| kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| sadoṣham | with defect |
| api | even |
| na | not |
| tyajet | should one abandon |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sarvārambhāḥ | all undertakings |
| hi | indeed |
| doṣheṇa | by defect |
| dhūmena | by smoke |
| agniḥ | fire |
| iva | like |
| āvṛtāḥ | covered |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sahajam | born of one's nature, natural | sarvārambhāḥ | all undertakings |
| karma | duty | hi | indeed |
| kaunteya | O son of Kuntī | doṣheṇa | by defect |
| sadoṣham | with defect | dhūmena | by smoke |
| api | even | agniḥ | fire |
| na | not | iva | like |
| tyajet | should one abandon | āvṛtāḥ | covered |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here Lord Krishna answers an obvious objection. One should not abandon the duty born of one's own nature, even if it has some defect, because every undertaking is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke.
Essence
No work is perfectly pure
A thoughtful person may ask, What if my duty involves faults, compromises, or difficulties? Is it not better to leave it? Lord Krishna responds with a realistic and comforting observation.
Sahajaṁ karma (the duty born with one's nature): This is the work that arises naturally from one's temperament and circumstances.
Sa-doṣam api na tyajet (one should not abandon it even if it has defects): The presence of some imperfection is not a sufficient reason to give up one's duty.
Sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa (for all undertakings are accompanied by fault): Lord Krishna points out a universal truth. Every activity, whether high or humble, involves some imperfection, some compromise, or some unwanted consequence. A teacher may sometimes be harsh, a doctor may cause some pain in treating, a farmer unavoidably destroys small creatures when ploughing, and a leader cannot please everyone.
Dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ (as fire is enveloped by smoke): The image is vivid. Fire and smoke come together, and we do not put out fire because it produces smoke. We tend the fire and learn to manage the smoke.
The danger of waiting for perfect conditions
If we wait for a duty that is entirely free of difficulty or moral complexity, we will never act. Lord Krishna's advice is to continue to perform one's duty with awareness, minimising harm and doing it in the right spirit, rather than withdrawing in the hope of finding a flawless alternative that does not exist.
This does not mean ignoring real wrongdoing. Where an activity is itself harmful, it is no one's duty. The verse refers to the ordinary imperfections that accompany all human effort.
Message for Everyday Life (Accepting Imperfect Circumstances)
Every job has frustrating aspects, every relationship has difficulties, and every responsibility involves trade-offs. People often hope to escape into a perfect situation and find that new smoke appears there too.
A balanced approach: Do your best to improve what can be improved, accept the rest with patience, and do not abandon something valuable merely because it is imperfect.
No work is perfectly pure
A thoughtful person may ask, What if my duty involves faults, compromises, or difficulties? Is it not better to leave it? Lord Krishna responds with a realistic and comforting observation.
Sahajaṁ karma (the duty born with one's nature): This is the work that arises naturally from one's temperament and circumstances.
Sa-doṣam api na tyajet (one should not abandon it even if it has defects): The presence of some imperfection is not a sufficient reason to give up one's duty.
Sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa (for all undertakings are accompanied by fault): Lord Krishna points out a universal truth. Every activity, whether high or humble, involves some imperfection, some compromise, or some unwanted consequence. A teacher may sometimes be harsh, a doctor may cause some pain in treating, a farmer unavoidably destroys small creatures when ploughing, and a leader cannot please everyone.
Dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ (as fire is enveloped by smoke): The image is vivid. Fire and smoke come together, and we do not put out fire because it produces smoke. We tend the fire and learn to manage the smoke.
The danger of waiting for perfect conditions
If we wait for a duty that is entirely free of difficulty or moral complexity, we will never act. Lord Krishna's advice is to continue to perform one's duty with awareness, minimising harm and doing it in the right spirit, rather than withdrawing in the hope of finding a flawless alternative that does not exist.
This does not mean ignoring real wrongdoing. Where an activity is itself harmful, it is no one's duty. The verse refers to the ordinary imperfections that accompany all human effort.
Message for Everyday Life (Accepting Imperfect Circumstances)
Every job has frustrating aspects, every relationship has difficulties, and every responsibility involves trade-offs. People often hope to escape into a perfect situation and find that new smoke appears there too.
A balanced approach: Do your best to improve what can be improved, accept the rest with patience, and do not abandon something valuable merely because it is imperfect.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has said that duty should not be abandoned because of its imperfections. In the next verse, He describes how a person can attain the highest freedom from the bondage of action while still doing their duty, through detachment and self-mastery.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Perfect conditions rarely arrive.
Act well even when the task is imperfect.
Fire gives warmth despite smoke.
Flaws belong to the field of action.
Do not drop the duty because of its shadow.
Imperfection is not failure.
Aim for rightness, not for flawlessness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'sahajam karma' (duty born of one's nature) mean?
What does 'sadoṣham' (with defect) mean here?
Why does Krishna compare 'sarvārambhāḥ' (all undertakings) to fire covered by 'dhūma' (smoke)?
Does this verse permit wrongdoing as long as duty is being done?
What is the practical message of this verse in one sentence?
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