The eighty-ninth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India’s most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.
In this talk, continuing with Chapter 18:45, Swamiji discusses about swakarma (a person’s own duty), and how it is better to do ones own duty, though flawed, than another’s duty done well. These spiritual teachings will help in your spiritual growth and your practice of yoga and meditation.
For those wishing to make a deeper study of the Gita, Swamiji’s commentary on the Gita, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening: A Practical Commentary for Leading a Successful Spiritual Life can be found at Amazon.com.
Here are the Gita verses (18:45–18:52) covered in this talk:
Satisfied in his own duty, a man attains perfection. Hear how he who is happy in his own duty (swakarma) finds perfection. (18:45)
By worshipping with his swakarma him from whom all beings have their origin, by whom all this universe is pervaded, a man finds perfection. (18:46)
Better is one’s own swadharma, though imperfect, than another’s duty, though well performed. Performing the duty prescribed by one’s own nature (swabhava) produces no fault. (18:47)
The duty to which one is born should not be abandoned, although faulty, for all undertakings are enveloped by defects as is fire by smoke. (18:48)
He whose intellect (buddhi) is unattached, whose lower self is subdued, from whom desire has departed, by renunciation attains the supreme state of freedom from action. (18:49)
Learn from me in brief how one who has attained perfection also attains Brahman, that supreme state of knowledge. (18:50)
Endowed with a supremely pure intellect, controlling the lower self by firmness, turning from the objects of the senses, beginning with sound, casting off attraction and aversion, (18:51)
Dwelling in a solitary place, eating lightly (what is easily digested), with speech, body and mind controlled, constantly devoted to yoga meditation, taking refuge in vairagya, (18:52)
Here are the main points from this talk Attaining Perfection by Duty:
🔷 Core Teaching
- Perfection (siddhi) is attained by fulfilling one’s own dharma (swadharma)—the duty aligned with one’s innate nature (swabhava).
- True contentment and strength arise from acting in harmony with one’s inner being, not by imitating others.
- Living your personal dharma—even if imperfectly—is better and safer than trying to live another’s, even if it looks superior.
🙏 Worship Through Dharma
- Worship is not just ritual, but living your inner swadharma.
- Performing your own duties well is the highest form of offering to God, who is the origin and sustainer of all.
- Spiritual practice that aligns with your true karmic nature purifies the mind and brings you closer to Brahman.
⚖️ Important Distinctions
- Even if your swadharma appears flawed or humble, it is never wrong if done sincerely.
- All worldly actions are touched by imperfection, just as fire is accompanied by smoke.
- The Yogi’s path is about perseverance, detachment, and inner strength, not outward success.
🧘♂️ Qualities of the Perfected Yogi
- •Intellect is detached, not influenced by outer praise or blame.
- Lower self is subdued; desires are weakened or transcended.
- Actions are no longer karma-producing—he acts in freedom.
The perfected Yogi has:
- Pure intellect (vishuddhi)
- Control over senses and mind
- Equanimity toward attraction and aversion
- A solitary, inward-focused life
- Light diet and light living
- Discipline in speech, thought, and behavior
- Constant devotion to meditation and japa
⚠️ Warnings
- Spiritual life must be balanced—not negligent of family or daily duties.
- Avoid hypocrisy: pretending to be spiritual while abandoning responsibility is tamasic.
- Repressing desires without inner transformation is not real renunciation—true detachment is when the desire itself is gone.
🌟 Closing Message
- Fulfill your own swadharma fully, without envy or imitation.
- Even imperfect effort in your true calling brings real spiritual advancement.
- The path to Brahman begins with sincere, self-true action.
Below is an audio version of this talk from our Gita Talks Podcast
Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke)
Swami Nirmalananda Giri, founder of Light of the Spirit Monastery, has spent over six decades immersed in the study and practice of Yoga and and the spiritual traditions of East and West. He is the author of more than 30 books on meditation, practical spiritual life and Sanatana Dharma. Learn more »
