Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.48
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् । सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥४८॥
sahajaṃ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet | sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ ||48||
Complete Shloka Translation
One should not abandon natural work even when flawed, Kaunteya; all undertakings are covered by some defect, as fire by smoke.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सहज | sahaja | born with one's nature |
| धूम | dhūma | smoke |
| सहजं | sahajaṃ | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| कर्म | karma | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| सदोषमपि | sadoṣamapi | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| त्यजेत् | na | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| सर्वारम्भा | tyajet | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| हि | sarvārambhā | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| दोषेण | hi | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः | doṣeṇa | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
| ४८ | dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ | [term] in context of One should not abandon natural... |
born with one's nature
smoke
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
[term] in context of One should not abandon natural...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The smoke-fire image acknowledges unavoidable limitation. It supports responsible perseverance, not complacency about avoidable harm.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Can you improve imperfect work without demanding impossible purity?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Can you improve imperfect work without demanding impossible purity?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.