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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Duty & actionChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation

18.47 18.49

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.48

Natural duties and perfection through work

Karma · Action

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।

सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्न‍िरिवावृता: ॥ ४८ ॥

saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya

sa-doṣam api na tyajet

sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa

dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ

Translation

Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work born of his nature, O son of Kuntī, even if such work is full of fault.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Serve Despite Faults

1
Every effort has faults, like fire covered by smoke. Do not give up work born of your nature because of its faults.
2
Prabhupāda explains that changing occupations cannot remove all faults. Work done to satisfy the Supreme Lord is purified.
3
Continue your natural duties with determination to serve the Supreme Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport

One must stick to his occupational duty at any cost, even if one’s own duty appears difficult or defective

Analogy: Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke

Analogy of fire covered by smoke — Smoke does not make fire impure

e.g. In winter time when one takes a stone from the fire, sometimes smoke disturbs the eyes but still one makes use of the fire anyway

Therefore do not give up the duty due to unpleasant disturbances

Be determined to serve the Lord by occupational duty

How one, in any varna, can become perfect in self realisation

Results of work are purified when they are connected with devotional service

One becomes perfect in seeing the self within and that is self-realization

Freedom From Reaction By Occupational Work

All work is controlled by the modes, yet one can become free from the reactions of work by acting as brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra in Niskama karma yoga while worshipping the Lord through that work

Chapter 18, section IV: Freedom From Reaction By Occupational Work