Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita 3.35
Chapter 3, verse 35: the Sanskrit, the Roman letters, the meaning and what it is used for.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः
śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt
svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ
Meaning
One's own duty, though imperfect, is better than another's duty well performed. Death in one's own duty is better; another's duty brings fear.
Explanation
The word is svadharma, the duty that fits one's own nature and situation. The verse warns against copying other people's paths because they look more successful. It is often cited when someone has to choose between a career that others admire and one that suits their own gifts. It is important to read it with the next verses: it is not a defence of any fixed social role but a call to be honest about what is truly one's own work.
Where it fits
This is verse 35 of 43 in chapter 3, "The path of action" (Karma Yoga). previous verse (3.34) · next verse (3.36)
Read more on this theme
Related verses
- Bhagavad Gita 2.38
- Bhagavad Gita 2.47
- Bhagavad Gita 2.48
- Bhagavad Gita 3.19
- Bhagavad Gita 4.18
- Bhagavad Gita 18.47
Questions people ask
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.35 mean?
One's own duty, though imperfect, is better than another's duty well performed. Death in one's own duty is better; another's duty brings fear.
Where is this verse?
It is verse 35 of chapter 3 (The path of action), which has 43 verses.
Meanings and explanations are our own wording, not an authorised translation. Readers of the Gita follow different traditions and teachers; please ask yours about what you read here.