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Chapter 18
A person, should not abandon his innate duty, even though it may be defective. For example, a Ksatriya's or a Vaisyas actions, are not to be as virtuous and polite, as those of a Brahmana. But the Ksatriyas or the Vaisyas are not held responsible for those defects and for violence, which their activities involve. They derive benefit by performing these, because these are sanctioned by scriptures and are easily performed, as they suit their temperament.
Alms, is the means of a Brahmana's livelihood. It may seem free from any defect but it is not. Suppose a beggar is standing at the door of a householder, and another comes there. He is a burden on the householder. There can be jealousy between the two beggars. If food materials are not ready, the householder feels sorry. Suppose, a householder does not want to offer anything, so he suffers pain, after seeing the beggar. If he offers something, he has to incur expenses. But, if the beggar or Brahmana, retums empty-handed, the householder incurs sin. So he gets entangled, in a dilemma. Thus, though alms involve a blot, yet a Brahmana, should not abandon it.
A Ksatriya, has to kill warriors of the army of an enemy. But he incurs no sin, because it is his innate duty, which is prescribed by scriptures. Similarly, in agriculture, the duty of a Vaisya involves, violence of several insects and germs. But a Vaisya, incurs no sin, as it is his innate duty, which is sanctioned by scriptures. So innate duties, should not be abandoned.
Though men, by performing innate duties, incur no sin, how will those duties, lead to salvation? In fact, these are evil propensities, such as desire, attachment, selfishness and pride, which bind a man and because of which, a man incurs sin. So if he performs duties for God's sake, by abandoning evil propensities, without expecting any reward, he will not be bound.
Sarvarambha hi dosena dhumenagnirivavrtah:- As, there is smoke at the beginning, when fire is burnt, similarly, all undertakings are enveloped by defects, as their performance depends on incidents, circumstances and occasions etc., and these may be undesirable for others. So, a man who performs these duties without expecting any reward, incurs no sin. Therefore, the Lord is saying to Arjuna, "Brother! It is thy duty, to wage war, which you regard as dreadful, for there is nothing more welcome, for a man of the warrior class, than a righteous war" [1].
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