Sbg3.35
Sloka 3.35
Sloka (श्लोक)
मूल श्लोकः श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।।3.35।।
पदच्छेद / Padaccheda
श्रेयान् स्वधर्मः विगुणः परधर्मात् स्वनुष्ठितात् स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मः भयावहः
Transliteration (लिप्यांतरण)
śreyān svadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt svadharme nidhanam śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ
Translation (अनुवाद)
It is better to practice one's own natural duties (svadharma), even if imperfectly, than to perform the duties of another, even if they are done perfectly. Dying in one's own duty (svadharma) is better, while the duty of another (paradharma) is filled with danger.
अपना धर्म करना, चाहे वह दोषयुक्त ही क्यों न हो, दूसरे के धर्म को (ठीक ढंग से) करने से श्रेष्ठ है। अपने धर्म में मरण कल्याणकारी है, जबकि परधर्म भयावह है।
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय के साथ शब्दार्थ)
| Sanskrit (संस्कृत) | English Meaning (अर्थ) | Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अर्थ) |
|---|---|---|
| श्रेयान् | better | श्रेष्ठ |
| स्वधर्मः | one's own duty | स्वधर्म |
| विगुणः | devoid of merit | गुणरहित |
| परधर्मात् | than the duty of another | परधर्म से |
| स्वनुष्ठितात् | perfectly performed | सुकार्य रूप से किया हुआ |
| स्वधर्मे | in one's own duty | अपने धर्म में |
| निधनं | death | मरण |
| श्रेयः | better | श्रेष्ठ |
| परधर्मः | another's duty | परधर्म |
| भयावहः | fraught with fear | भयावह |
कर्ता-क्रिया-विधान / S-V-O Tuples
| कर्ता (Subject) | क्रिया (Verb) | विधान (Object) | अंग्रेज़ी अनुवाद / English Translation | हिंदी अनुवाद / Hindi Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| स्वधर्म | है | श्रेष्ठ | Own duty is better | स्वधर्म श्रेष्ठ है |
| स्वधर्म में मरण | है | श्रेष्ठ | Death in one's own duty is better | स्वधर्म में मरण श्रेष्ठ है |
| परधर्म | है | भयावह | Another's duty is dangerous | परधर्म भयावह है |
Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)
Categories (वर्गीकरण)
- Prescription for Duty (कर्तव्य के लिए निर्देश)
- Ethical Behavior (नैतिक व्यवहार)
Commentary (टीका)
The sloka emphasizes the importance of performing one's own duties (svadharma), even if they appear deficient, over adopting the duties of others (paradharma), regardless of how well they may be performed. The inherent message is to follow the path dictated by one's own nature, as prescribed by socio-spiritual values, because this leads to ultimate emancipation. The path of others, although it might seem more appealing and rewarding on the surface, ultimately carries risks and instability due to not resonating with one’s intrinsic nature.
The sloka insists on remaining steadfast in personal duty, suggesting that even death in such duty is more auspicious than the perceived success in another’s duty. In the broader context, this aligns with a recognition of the universal order (dharma) and emphasizes reliance on intrinsic purpose over superficial appropriateness.
In Swami Sivananda’s English commentary, it is noted how Arjuna's role as a Kshatriya aligns his svadharma with participating in the righteous battle, affirming that adhering to personal duty, even at the cost of life, ensures entrance into heaven and avoids the pitfalls of adopting others’ roles.
In Swami Ramsukhdas's Hindi commentary, the emphasis is laid on deep inner alignment and spiritual accord. Engaging in one's natural duties eliminates the repercussions associated with actions driven by desires misaligned with personal dharma. It follows through precise interpretation, elaborating on the significance of unselfish duty fulfillment, and offers philosophical grounding on spiritual fulfillment, aligning naturally with one’s own swabhāva (nature). The commentary further elucidates that even seeming hardships are transcended through alignment with one's svadharma, presented as essential for spiritual evolution and ethical integrity.