Chapter 18 · Verse 45

Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender

स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः।स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु

sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ sansiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tach chhṛiṇu

Word Meanings

sve sve — respectively; karmaṇi — work; abhirataḥ — fulfilling; sansiddhim — perfection; labhate — achieve; naraḥ — a person; sva-karma — to one’s own prescribed duty; nirataḥ — engaged; siddhim — perfection; yathā — as; vindati — attains; tat — that; śhṛiṇu — hear

Language:

Translation

Each person, devoted to their own duty, attains perfection. Hear now how one engaged in their own work finds that perfection.

Commentary

स्वे in own? स्वे in own? कर्मणि to duty? अभिरतः devoted? संसिद्धिम् perfection? लभते attains? नरः a man? स्वकर्मनिरतः engaged in his own duty? सिद्धिम् perfection? यथा how? विन्दति finds? तत् that? श्रृणु hear.Commentary This is the division of labour for which each caste is fitted according to its own nature. The duty prescribed is your sole support? and the highest service you can render to the Supreme is to carry it out wholeheartedly? without expectation of fruits? with the attitutde of dedication to the Lord. This will surely lead you to the Supreme. All the impurities of the mind will be washed away by the performance of ones own duty and you will be fit for Selfknowledge.Sve sve karmani Each devoted to his own duty in accordance with his nature (Guna) or caste. It is impossible to attain Moksha by works alone but works purify the heart and prepare the aspirant for receiving the divine light.The attitude of worshipfulness is prescribed for work