Serenity, self-control, austerity, purity, forgiveness, and also uprightness, knowledge, wisdom, faith - these are the duties of Brahmanas, born of their own nature.
The qualities of Brahmanas reflect the sattvic temperament oriented toward wisdom and teaching. These characteristics aren't presented as privileges but as responsibilities requiring intensive self-discipline, showing that higher social position demands greater, not lesser, ethical requirements.
Valor, splendor, firmness, dexterity, and also not fleeing from battle, generosity, lordliness - these are the duties of Kshatriyas, born of their own nature.
Kshatriya qualities combine courage with moral responsibility, balancing power with protection of others. This integration of strength and service creates the ideal leader who commands not through domination but through exemplary character, establishing protection rather than exploitation as power's purpose.
Agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade are the duties of Vaishyas, born of their own nature; and action consisting of service is the duty of Shudras, born of their own nature.
The vocations of Vaishyas and Shudras complete society's functional organization, emphasizing that all roles contribute essential services. This holistic vision contrasts with hierarchical views of work, showing how diverse temperaments and skills create a complete and interdependent social ecosystem.
Man attains perfection by being engaged in his own duty. Hear now how one who is engaged in his own duty attains perfection.
This verse introduces a spiritual understanding of vocation—one achieves perfection not by abandoning one's natural role but by fulfilling it with the right consciousness. This revolutionary teaching transforms ordinary work into spiritual practice, making liberation accessible in everyday life.
From whom is the evolution of all beings, by whom all this is pervaded, by worshipping Him through the performance of his own duty, man attains perfection.
Here Krishna connects individual duty with cosmic purpose, showing how performing one's natural function becomes worship of the divine. This elevates work from mere livelihood to sacred participation in universal order, transforming occupation into vocation in the truest sense.
Better is one's own duty though imperfectly performed than the duty of another well performed. Performing the duty ordained by one's own nature, one incurs no sin.
This verse contains one of the Gita's most important teachings—imperfect performance of one's own duty surpasses perfect execution of another's. This liberates us from comparing ourselves to others, focusing instead on authentic expression of our unique nature, however limited it might appear.
One should not abandon, O son of Kunti, the duty to which one is born, though it is defective, for all undertakings are covered by defects as fire by smoke.
Krishna acknowledges the imperfection inherent in all action, offering a realistic spiritual path that accepts human limitation. By comparing defects to smoke covering fire, he shows how imperfection doesn't negate the essential value of dedicated action, encouraging perseverance despite inevitable flaws.