Gita 18.45
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः । स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु ॥
sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ sva-karma-nirataḥ siddhiṁ yathā vindati tac chṛṇu
In essence: Each person devoted to their own duty attains complete perfection—hear now how one absorbed in svadharma finds the highest fulfillment.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Any duty leads to perfection? Even simple work?"
Guru: "Not just any work, but YOUR work—the duty aligned with your nature. And not performed any way, but with 'abhirata'—devoted engagement, full absorption. A teacher teaching with half-heart does not attain perfection. A farmer farming with complete devotion does. The key is: right work (svadharma) plus right attitude (abhirata) equals perfection (saṁsiddhi)."
Sadhak: "But isn't some work more spiritual than others?"
Guru: "In external form, no. In internal quality, yes. The spirituality is in the consciousness, not the activity. A priest performing rituals mechanically has no special advantage over a servant serving consciously. The one absorbed in their duty with devotion—regardless of what that duty is—attains the goal. This is revolutionary: it makes every work potentially sacred."
Sadhak: "What is 'saṁsiddhi' exactly? Worldly success or liberation?"
Guru: "Ultimately, liberation. 'Sam' means complete, 'siddhi' means perfection or accomplishment. This is not just becoming good at your work, though that happens naturally. It is attaining the spiritual goal through work. Your duty becomes your yoga. This is karma yoga in its essence: the path of liberation through devoted action in one's own dharma."
Sadhak: "How is this different from just doing a job well?"
Guru: "Intention and offering. Doing a job well for personal success is good but not liberating. Doing it as worship, offering the work and its fruits to the Divine, seeing the work as service to the cosmic order—that transforms it into spiritual practice. The next verse will explain exactly how to make this transformation."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Affirm: 'Today's work is my path to perfection. Whatever my duty, I will perform it with complete absorption. My svadharma is my yoga.' This sets the intention for devotional work.
Practice 'abhirata'—complete engagement in your work. When distraction arises, return to full presence. When boredom comes, find the depth in the task. When resistance appears, ask: 'Is this my true dharma?' Make each task an opportunity for absorption.
Assess: 'Did I work with absorption today, or was I merely going through motions? Did I find moments of genuine devotion in my duties? How can I deepen my engagement tomorrow?' This reflection gradually increases the quality of your working devotion.