Chapter 18, Verse 48 (Bhagavad Gita 18.48)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः
Transliteration
saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣham api na tyajet sarvārambhā hi doṣheṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛitāḥ
Word Meanings
saha-jam—born of one’s nature; karma—duty; kaunteya—Arjun, the son of Kunti; sa-doṣham—with defects; api—even if; na tyajet—one should not abandon; sarva-ārambhāḥ—all endeavors; hi—indeed; doṣheṇa—with evil; dhūmena—with smoke; agniḥ—fire; iva—as; āvṛitāḥ—veiled
Translation
O Arjuna, one should not abandon the duty born of one's own nature, even if it has flaws; for all undertakings are covered by defects, as fire is covered by smoke, says Bhagwan Shri Krishna.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound verse, Bhagwan Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, imparts the wisdom of Swadharma, urging Arjuna to embrace his God-given duty despite its inherent imperfections. Shri Krishna reveals the eternal truth that in this material world, no action is perfectly pure, just as fire is never without some smoke. By performing one's prescribed duties as an offering unto Him, a seeker transcends the mundane entanglement of karma. This act of surrender transforms worldly obligation into a divine sacrifice, guiding the soul toward the ultimate goal of liberation. Thus, Shri Krishna teaches that true perfection lies not in renouncing action, but in performing it with absolute devotion to the Supreme.