Bhagavad Gita · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga — Liberation through Renunciation
Chapter 18, Verse 48
"Bhagavad Gita 18.48" — meaning and explanation.
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् | सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः
sahajaṃ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet . sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ
Meaning
18.48 One should not abandon, O Arjuna, the duty to which one is born, though faulty; for, all undertakings are enveloped by evil, as fire by smoke.
।।18.48।। हे कौन्तेय ! दोषयुक्त होने पर भी सहज कर्म को नहीं त्यागना चाहिए; क्योंकि सभी कर्म दोष से आवृत होते है, जैसे धुयें से अग्नि।।
Explanation
18.48 सहजम् which is born? कर्म action? कौन्तेय O Kaunteya? सदोषम् with fault? अपि even? न not? त्यजेत् (one) should abandon? सर्वारम्भाः all undertakings? हि for? दोषेण by evil? धूमेन by smoke? अग्निः fire? इव like? आवृताः are enveloped.Commentary Sahajam Born with oneself born with the birth of man.Sadosham Faculty for everything is constituted of the three Gunas.All undertakings Ones own as well as others duties.If a Vaisya or a Kshatriya does the duties of a Brahmana he will not in any way be benefited. Anothers duty brings in fear. Therefore it is not proper to perform anothers duty. It is not possible for any man who has no knowledge of the Self to relinish action totally therefore he should not abandon action.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.48 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 48, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 18.48
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.48 mean?
18.48 One should not abandon, O Arjuna, the duty to which one is born, though faulty; for, all undertakings are enveloped by evil, as fire by smoke.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 18.48 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, verse 48, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.