Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga - The Yoga of Liberation through RenunciationKrishna
Verse 42
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 18, श्लोक 42
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च।
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम्॥
Transliteration
Shamo damas-tapah shaucham kshantir-arjavam-eva cha
Jnanam vijnanam-astikyam Brahma-karma svabhava-jam
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
शमःshamahtranquility
दमःdamahself-control
तपःtapahausterity
शौचम्shauchampurity
क्षान्तिःkshantihpatience
आर्जवम्arjavamhonesty
ज्ञानम्jnanamknowledge
विज्ञानम्vijnanamwisdom
आस्तिक्यम्astikyamfaith in God
ब्रह्मकर्मBrahma-karmaduty of a Brahmana
स्वभावजम्svabhava-jamborn of nature
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
शम (मन की शान्ति), दम (इन्द्रिय संयम), तप, शौच, क्षमा, सरलता, ज्ञान, विज्ञान और आस्तिकता — ये ब्राह्मण के स्वभावजन्य कर्म हैं।
English Translation
Tranquility, self-control, austerity, purity, patience, honesty, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in God — these are the natural duties of a Brahmana.
Commentary (टीका)
The Brahmana's natural duty centers on intellectual and spiritual qualities: inner peace, discipline, study, and devotion to truth. These qualities make them natural teachers and spiritual guides. The emphasis on svabhava (nature) means these qualities define a Brahmana, not birth in a particular family.