ભગવદ્ગીતામાં સ્વધર્મ-પરધર્મ વિચાર
By R. P. Mehta
Summary
This article focuses on the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching about swadharma (one’s own duty) and paradharma (another’s duty). The author examines verses where Krishna urges Arjuna to follow his kshatriya duty rather than adopt the renunciant path. Performing one’s prescribed duty, even imperfectly, is better than performing another’s duty flawlessly. The Gita bases dharma on an individual’s nature and societal role; thus, duties vary for warriors, priests, merchants and servants. The article contrasts swadharma with paradharma, warning that adopting duties unsuited to one’s nature leads to confusion and moral decline. It refers to classical commentaries to illustrate how different Vedantic schools interpret these verses and discusses the tension between swadharma and universal ethics. It also addresses the risk of using swadharma to justify caste discrimination and notes that the Gita’s core message is about acting according to one’s nature while cultivating humility and devotion.
Conclusion
The article concludes that the Bhagavad Gita advocates performing one’s duty with dedication and detachment rather than imitating others or escaping responsibilities. This teaching helps individuals achieve self‑realisation while maintaining social order. Proper understanding of swadharma discourages envy and confusion and directs energy toward one’s true purpose.