Chapter 18 Verse 48
Mokṣha Sanyās Yog
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः।।18.48।।
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
One should not, O Arjuna, abandon the duty to which one is born, though it may be faulty; for, all undertakings are enveloped by evil, just as fire is by smoke.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse teaches that you should not abandon the duty that comes from your nature, even if it has faults. Everyone’s work and role carry imperfections, just as smoke always surrounds a fire.
The point is not to wait for perfect conditions to act. By staying with your duty and doing it sincerely, you grow and purify your heart. Action, even imperfect action, is the path to improvement.
Spiritually, this means acceptance and responsibility. Accept your natural role, perform it with honesty, and let steady practice remove the faults over time.
Life Application
- Keep doing your responsibilities even when they feel messy or imperfect; progress comes from steady effort, not avoidance.
- Learn from mistakes rather than abandoning tasks; small, honest corrections improve skill and character.
- Focus on sincere intention and discipline, not on waiting for perfect clarity or conditions.
Reflection Question
Which natural duty am I avoiding because I fear it is imperfect?