सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृता: ॥ ४८ ॥
saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣham api na tyajet
sarvārambhā hi doṣheṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛitāḥ
श्लोक ४८: हे कुन्तीपुत्र! मनुष्य को अपने निहित कर्तव्य को नहीं त्यागना चाहिए, भले ही वह दोषपूर्ण हो, क्योंकि सभी कार्य किसी ना किसी दोष से ढके होते हैं, जैसे अग्नि धूम्र से ढकी होती है।
Shloka 48: O Kaunteya! One should not abandon their inherent duty, even if it is imperfect, because all actions are shrouded in some imperfections, just as fire is enveloped by smoke.
In Bhagavad Gita verse 18.48, Lord Krishna addresses a profound question that naturally follows his previous teaching: If one should perform their own duty (sva-dharma) even when imperfect, what if that duty seems deeply problematic or uncomfortable? This verse offers reassurance and practical wisdom for such situations.The Sanskrit verse reads: "सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्। सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः॥" which translates to: "One should not abandon duties born of one's nature, even though they may be flawed, for all undertakings are covered by defects, just as fire is covered by smoke."Krishna employs a powerful metaphor here - comparing our duties to fire and their imperfections to smoke. Fire is essential for cooking, warmth, and sacred rituals, yet smoke inevitably accompanies it. Similarly, every occupation or prescribed duty carries some imperfection, stemming from the influence of material nature. A warrior like Arjuna must sometimes kill, a merchant may need to engage in competitive practices, and even religious duties may involve uncomfortable aspects. These imperfections don't invalidate the dharma itself.The essence of this teaching is captured in Krishna's instruction: "sahajaṁ karma sa-doṣam na tyajet" - do not give up your natural duty even when flawed. Rather than seeking perfect external conditions, Krishna shifts our focus toward inner alignment - performing duties with steadiness, detachment, and devotion. Just as we don't abandon fire because of smoke, we shouldn't abandon our duties because of their inherent challenges. Instead, we learn to work through them with the right intention.This verse offers profound practical wisdom. We often postpone our efforts waiting for perfect conditions - the perfect job, perfect relationship, or perfect spiritual practice. But life rarely unfolds in perfect lines. The teaching reminds us that growth doesn't come from avoiding challenges but from navigating through them with purpose and integrity. Whether in professional work, family relationships, or spiritual practice, perfection isn't a prerequisite for beginning.The metaphor extends beautifully to human relationships as well. Just as fire comes with smoke, even the finest people in our lives have imperfections. We don't abandon them for their flaws - instead, we recognize the underlying value despite the "smoke." This principle applies equally to our work environments, where no role or profession is ever spotless. The question isn't whether challenges exist, but whether the work aligns with our nature and supports our growth.Krishna's wisdom reveals a profound paradox: it's precisely through embracing imperfect duties with the right consciousness that we achieve spiritual perfection. By performing our natural work (sahajaṁ karma) with dedication but without attachment, we purify our hearts. The focus shifts from flawless execution to faithful dedication - not waiting for perfect external conditions but cultivating inner alignment. This transforms even flawed actions into a pathway toward self-realization.
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