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Bhagavad Gita 18.48

Nothing worth doing is flawless. Every fire has some smoke — keep going anyway.

Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18, Verse 48

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्।
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः॥

saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya sa-doṣam api na tyajet
sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ

Translation

Do not abandon the work that comes naturally to you, Arjuna, even if it has flaws. For every undertaking is clouded by some imperfection, as fire is by smoke.

हिन्दी भावार्थ

हे कौन्तेय, स्वाभाविक कर्म को दोषयुक्त होने पर भी नहीं छोड़ना चाहिए, क्योंकि जैसे धुएँ से अग्नि ढकी रहती है, वैसे ही सभी कर्म किसी न किसी दोष से युक्त होते हैं।

In simple words Interpretation

Nothing worth doing is flawless. Every fire has some smoke — keep going anyway.

Context

Near the end of the Gita, Krishna reassures Arjuna that imperfection is part of every real effort.

When this may help

When perfectionism is stopping you, or a mistake makes you want to give up.

Reflection question

Where has the fear of imperfection been stopping you?

A small practice

Finish one thing today at 'good enough' and let it go.

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