Shloka 35
Karma-Saṃnyāsa–Karma-Yoga Saṃvāda
Renunciation and the Discipline of Action
सम्बन्ध-- यहाँ अर्जुनिके मनमें यह बात आ सकती है कि मैं यह युद्धरूप घोर कर्म न करके यदि भिक्षावृत्तिसे अपना निर्वाह करता हुआ शान्तिमय क्मोें लगा रहूँ तो सहज ही राग-द्वेषसे छूट सकता हूँ: फिर आप मुझे युद्ध करनेके लिये आज्ञा क्यों दे रहे हैं; इसपर भगवान् कहते हैं-- श्रेयान् स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात् स्वनुछितात् । स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह:
śreyān svadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt | svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ ||
O Senhor Bem-aventurado ensina: O próprio dever, ainda que cumprido de modo imperfeito, é superior ao dever de outrem, mesmo que executado com excelência. Morrer no próprio dharma é melhor; o dharma alheio é temível.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should adhere to one’s own rightful duty (svadharma) even if imperfect, rather than adopt another’s duty (paradharma) even if it seems nobler or can be performed well; abandoning one’s role out of aversion or fear leads to moral danger and inner instability.
Arjuna is troubled by the prospect of war and considers alternatives like a peaceful life; Krishna responds by grounding him in the principle of svadharma, urging him to act according to his warrior responsibility rather than flee into a different mode of life.