Word meanings
- sve sve
- respectively
- karmaṇi
- work
- abhirataḥ
- fulfilling
- sansiddhim
- perfection
- labhate
- achieve
- naraḥ
- a person
- sva-karma
- to one’s own prescribed duty
- nirataḥ
- engaged
- siddhim
- perfection
- yathā
- as
- vindati
- attains
- tat
- that
- śṛṇu
- hear
Translations
Each person devoted to their own duty attains perfection. How they attain perfection while being engaged in their own duty, hear now.
Perfection is attained when one diligently attends to their duty. Listen, and I will tell you how it is attained by one who always minds their own duty.
Being devoted to his own duty, one attains complete success. Hear how one devoted to their own duty achieves success.
अपने-अपने कर्ममें तत्परतापूर्वक लगा हुआ मनुष्य सम्यक् सिद्धि-(परमात्मा-)को प्राप्त कर लेता है। अपने कर्ममें लगा हुआ मनुष्य जिस प्रकार सिद्धिको प्राप्त होता है? उस प्रकारको तू मेरेसे सुन।Commentary
This is the division of labour for which each caste is fitted according to its own nature. The duty prescribed is your sole support, and the highest service you can render to the Supreme is to carry it out wholeheartedly, without expectation of fruits, with the attitutde of dedication to the Lord. This will surely lead you to the Supreme. All the impurities of the mind will be washed away by the performance of ones own duty and you will be fit for Selfknowledge. Sve sve karmani Each devoted to his own duty in accordance with his nature (Guna) or caste.
It is impossible to attain Moksha by works alone but works purify the heart and prepare the aspirant for receiving the divine light. The attitude of worshipfulness is prescribed for work