In Bhagavad Gita 3.35, Krishna teaches that it is better to follow one’s own duty imperfectly than another’s duty well; even death in one’s own duty is better, for another’s path brings danger.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः
परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः
परधर्मो भयावहः ॥ ३-३५ ॥
śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ
paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt
svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ
paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ
English transliteration shreyaansvadharmo vigunah
paradharmaatsvanushthitaat
svadharme nidhanam shreyah
paradharmo bhayaavahah ॥ 3.35 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Better is one’s own duty, though imperfectly performed, than the duty of another well performed. Better is death in one’s own duty; the duty of another is fraught with danger.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| श्रेयान् śreyān | better |
| स्वधर्मः svadharmaḥ | one’s own duty sva (own) + dharmaḥ (duty) |
| विगुणः viguṇaḥ | imperfect |
| परधर्मात् paradharmāt | than another’s duty para (another’s) + dharmāt (than duty) |
| स्वनुष्ठितात् svanuṣṭhitāt | well performed |
| स्वधर्मे svadharme | in one’s own duty |
| निधनम् nidhanam | death |
| श्रेयः śreyaḥ | better |
| परधर्मः paradharmaḥ | another’s duty |
| भयावहः bhayāvahaḥ | fraught with danger bhaya (danger) + āvahaḥ (bringing) |
Word-wise Chanting
- śre–yān–sva–dhar–mo vi–gu–ṇaḥ 8 syllables shre-yaan-sva-dhar-mo vi-gu-nah
- pa–ra–dhar–māt–sva–nuṣ–ṭhi–tāt | 8 syllables pa-ra-dhar-maat-sva-nush-thi-taat
- sva–dhar–me ni–dha–naṃ śre–yaḥ 8 syllables sva-dhar-me ni-dha-nam shre-yah
- pa–ra–dhar–mo bha–yā–va–haḥ || 3-35 8 syllables pa-ra-dhar-mo bha-yaa-va-hah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 3 Verse 35
Context
Krishna concludes his teaching on nature and duty (3.33–3.35), echoing 2.31.
Meaning
Svadharma is the path that fits one’s nature, abilities and responsibilities. Krishna says it is better to walk one’s own path imperfectly than to imitate another’s path perfectly. Arjuna, a warrior, was tempted to adopt the life of a renunciant. That would be paradharma for him, unnatural and dangerous to his growth.
Comparison is a great source of unhappiness. We often envy others’ paths and neglect our own. The Gita asks us to find our true calling and follow it faithfully, even if we do it imperfectly. Growth happens through authenticity, not imitation. This verse returns at the end of the Gita (18.47).
In Practice
Name one way you are trying to live someone else’s life or path. Return your energy to the path that truly fits your nature.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.