Chapter 18: Conclusionमोक्षसंन्यासयोग
18:47
“Better is one's own dharma, though imperfect, than the dharma of another well performed. Doing the duty ordained by one's nature, one incurs no sin.”
Sanskrit
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ||
Transliteration
śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt svabhāva-niyataṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam
Commentary
It's better to follow one's own path imperfectly than another's path perfectly. Authentic self-expression, even with flaws, is superior to imitation. Natural duty brings no blame.
Chapter 18
Conclusion