श्रॆयान् स्वधर्मः विगुणः परधर्मात् सु-अनुष्ठितात् ।
स्वधर्मॆ निधनं श्रॆयः परधर्मः भय आवहः ॥ ३.३५ ॥
ಶ್ರೇಯಾನ್ ಸ್ವಧರ್ಮಃ ವಿಗುಣಃ ಪರಧರ್ಮಾತ್ ಸು-ಅನುಷ್ಠಿತಾತ್ |
ಸ್ವಧರ್ಮೇ ನಿಧನಂ ಶ್ರೇಯಃ ಪರಧರ್ಮಃ ಭಯ ಆವಹಃ || ೩.೩೫ ||
shrEyAn swadharmaH viguNaH paradharmAt su-anuShThitAt |
swadharmE nidhanaM shrEyaH paradharmaH bhaya AvahaH || 3.35 ||
Performing one’s own duty is more meritorious even if it is defective, than perfectly performing the duty of another. It is better even to die doing one’s own duty, since the duty of another brings fear.
One’s own duty: The duty which one has to perform as enjoined upon caste or order (rank in the society) one belongs to.
Defective: Not duly performed in all its details
Duty of another: The duty laid down for some other caste and order
Brings fear: Transgression and violation of the sacred laws, for which punishment awaits