Bhagavad Gita 3.35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः॥
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
Translation
Better one's own duty, though destitute of merit, than the duty of another, well discharged. Better death in the discharge of one's own duty; the duty of another is full of danger.
What it means
Better one's own duty done imperfectly than another's duty done well; better death in one's own duty, for another's duty is dangerous. Authenticity outranks polish. A borrowed calling carries a hidden cost.
Try this today
The authenticity verse: an imperfect fit with your own path beats a polished performance of someone else's.
Something to reflect on
Whose duty am I performing instead of my own?
Read it in Yathora