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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.343.36

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.35

Act according to your proper duty

Karma · Action

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।

स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥ ३५ ॥

śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ

para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt

sva-dharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ

para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ

Translation

It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

3 study points

Follow Your Own Duty

  1. 1

    Doing your own prescribed duty imperfectly—even facing death—is better than doing another’s duty perfectly. Following another’s path is dangerous.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that one should follow authorized guidance and perform one’s prescribed duties in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Do not imitate others’ duties. Follow the duties given for your situation, knowing that cleansing the heart is a gradual process.

Key points from the purport

Never imitate another’s duties — “It is very dangerous to give up one’s own duty and try to follow someone else’s path”

It is far better the discharge ones prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duty perfectly

Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous

Further reading

Niskama-Karma To Set Correct Example

Dutifully acting without attachment sets the correct example for others, who are less advanced

Chapter 3, section IV: Niskama-Karma To Set Correct Example
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śreyānfar better
  2. sva-dharmaḥone’s prescribed duties
  3. viguṇaḥeven faulty
  4. para-dharmātthan duties mentioned for others
  5. su-anuṣṭhitātperfectly done
  6. sva-dharmein one’s prescribed duties
  7. nidhanamdestruction
  8. śreyaḥbetter
  9. para-dharmaḥduties prescribed for others
  10. bhaya-āvahaḥdangerous
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Prescribed duty

    One’s own duty is preferable to imitating another’s.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.35 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.31The duty of a kṣatriya and equanimityBG 18.47Natural duties and perfection through workBG 18.66The heart of surrender
Live this todayFaithful to Your Prescribed DutyOne practice from this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction