Chapter 18 · Liberation through renunciation
Bhagavad Gita 18.48
As fire is covered by smoke.
Shri Bhagavan
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् ।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥
sahajaṁ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet / sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ
One should not give up the work born with him, O son of Kunti, even when it carries some flaw; for every undertaking is wrapped in a flaw, as fire is wrapped in smoke.
हिंदी · हे कुंतीपुत्र! दोषयुक्त होने पर भी सहज कर्म को नहीं छोड़ना चाहिए, क्योंकि सभी कर्म किसी न किसी दोष से वैसे ही ढके रहते हैं जैसे अग्नि धुएँ से।
What it means
As fire is covered by smoke.
Do not give up the work natural to you because it has faults. Every undertaking is covered by some fault, as fire is covered by smoke.
This is the Trust’s own reading, written for this site. The verse above it is the text.
Where this verse stands
Svabhava and svadharma
Chapter 1818.40–48
Socially situated duty and action according to one’s nature are discussed; imperfection does not automatically invalidate one’s proper work.
This verse closes the movement and prepares the next turn.
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.48 mean?
As fire is covered by smoke. Do not give up the work natural to you because it has faults. Every undertaking is covered by some fault, as fire is covered by smoke.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.48?
Shri Bhagavan. The speaker is taken from the text’s own उवाच line as transcribed, not inferred from the verse number.