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 ||
دوسرے کے دھرم کو خوب نبھانے سے بہتر ہے کہ اپنا سْوَدھرم، چاہے عیب دار ہی کیوں نہ ہو۔ اپنے سْوَدھرم میں مر جانا بھی خیر ہے؛ پرایا دھرم خوفناک ہے۔
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.