Bhagavad Gita 3.35
Spoken by Krishna ★ Essential verse · Verse 35 of 43
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् । स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥
śreyān svadharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt | svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ ||
Your own imperfect path beats another's perfect path. Death in your own dharma is better. Another's dharma brings fear.
Word by word (3)
- svadharmaḥ viguṇaḥ śreyān para-dharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt
- — one's own dharma, even imperfectly performed, is better than another's dharma done perfectly · Svadharma = one's own dharma (sva = own; dharma = the law, duty, path appropriate to one's nature, station, and inner calling). Viguṇa = without virtue, defective, imperfect. Śreyān = better (comparative of śreyas). Para-dharma = another's dharma. Svanuṣṭhita = well-performed, perfectly done (su+anuṣṭhita). The stark claim: imperfect svadharma > perfect para-dharma. Why? Because svadharma is aligned with one's nature; para-dharma is a performance.
- svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ
- — better is death in one's own dharma · Nidhana = death, end, ruin. Śreyaḥ = better (the same comparative that runs throughout the Gita). To die in one's own dharma is better than to live performing another's path. This is the most extreme statement of the svadharma principle — authenticity to one's nature is worth more than life itself.
- para-dharmaḥ bhayāvahaḥ
- — another's dharma brings fear/danger · Bhayāvaha = fear-bringing (bhaya = fear, danger; āvaha = bringing). Performing another's dharma creates fear — psychological fear (identity-anxiety from performing an inauthentic role), spiritual fear (karmic misalignment), and existential fear (a life lived as someone else). The danger is not external punishment but internal fragmentation.
Better is one's own dharma, even imperfectly performed, than another's dharma perfectly done. Death in one's own dharma is preferable — another's dharma is fraught with fear.
A modern analogy
A painter who struggles to find their authentic voice and produces work that sometimes fails is on a better path than one who flawlessly mimics another artist's style. The struggle with svadharma produces growth; the perfect performance of para-dharma produces a shell. The artist who dies having genuinely tried to paint what only they could paint — has lived their dharma. The one who perfected someone else's method — has not.
Take with you
- Authenticity to your nature (svadharma) is more valuable than perfect performance of a role that isn't yours.
- Bhayāvaha (fear-bringing): living another's dharma creates persistent low-grade fear — identity-anxiety, disconnection from self.
- The 'imperfect' svadharma is aligned with your growth edge — that's where real development happens.
- This is not an excuse for mediocrity — it's a call to genuine commitment to your authentic path.
Public-domain translations (5) compare all →
Better is one's own dharma, though imperfectly performed, than the dharma of another, though well performed. Death in one's own dharma is better; another's dharma is fraught with fear. [1]
Better is one's own dharma, though imperfectly performed, than the dharma of another well performed. Better is death in one's own dharma: the dharma of another is full of fear. [4]
Better is one's own dharma, although imperfectly performed, than the dharma of another, though well performed; better is death in one's own dharma: the dharma of another is dangerous. [6]
Better to do thine own task, though poorly done, Than the work of another, well-performed; Better is death in one's own calling: nay, Another's work is dangerous. [7]
One's own duty, though done imperfectly, is better than the duty of another well performed. Death in one's own duty is better; the duty of another is dangerous. [9]
This verse speaks to
Where this thread continues
One's own dharma even imperfectly done is better than another's well done; svabhāva-ordained karma incurs no sin.
Even the wise act by their nature. All beings follow nature. Forced repression accomplishes nothing.
For a warrior, there is nothing higher than a righteous battle — this is your svadharma.
Arjuna sees his own people ready to die — and his body breaks before his mind can argue.
One with no ego-doer-sense, whose buddhi is untainted — even while killing all these beings, kills not, is not bound.
Abandon all dharmas, take refuge in Me alone — I will liberate you from all sins; do not grieve.
Verse 35 of 43 · back to Chapter 3