Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 60

English Translation

Being bound by your own duty born of nature, O son of Kunti, you, being helpless, will verily do that which you do not wish to do owing to indiscrimination.

Detailed Commentary

18.60. Elucidation: "Bound by your own *karma*, O Kaunteya, born of your *svabhāva*" — The habits formed due to the *karma* and *guṇas* of past lives are called *svabhāva*. The Lord has called this *svabhāvaja karma* (actions born of one's nature). It is also known as *svadharma*. That which you do not wish to do due to delusion (*moha*), you are compelled to do because of your *svabhāva*. One should perform one's duties according to the *Śāstras*. Even if there are deficiencies or flaws in one's actions, they do not create an impediment. *Jīvanmukta Mahāpuruṣas* (liberated great souls) have a pure *svabhāva*; they are not influenced by their nature, yet they act according to their *prakṛti* (inherent nature). Ordinary people act according to *prakṛti*. The Lord told Arjuna that his *kṣātra-svabhāva* (nature of a warrior) would compel him to fight. Performing actions according to the *Śāstras* or My command makes those very actions auspicious. In actions performed according to the *Śāstras* and My command, attachment (*rāga*) and aversion (*dveṣa*) gradually diminish. The subservience to *Prakṛti* is mentioned in several places in the Gītā. This proves the dominance of *svabhāva*. Every being is born with its *svabhāva*. If *svabhāva* is pure, there will be no rebirth; and if there is rebirth, *svabhāva* will be predominant. Actions occur according to *svabhāva*. The instructions of the *Śāstras* and the teachings of Gurus are for humanity. Humans can change their *svabhāva* and purify it. In the Gītā, the Lord has described *Karma Yoga* and *Bhakti Yoga* for purifying *svabhāva*: (1) *Karma Yoga* — Act according to the injunctions of the *Śāstras*, without being subservient to attachment (*rāga*) and aversion (*dveṣa*). This eradicates *rāga* and *dveṣa*. (2) *Bhakti Yoga* — By taking refuge in the Lord, *rāga* and *dveṣa* are eradicated, and *svabhāva* becomes pure. With a purified *svabhāva*, there is no bondage. Humans act either according to attachment (*rāga*) and aversion (*dveṣa*) or according to principles (*siddhānta*). Acting according to *siddhānta* also shapes *svabhāva* accordingly. For the attainment of the Supreme Self (*Paramātman*), one should act according to the principles of the *Śāstras* and *Mahāpuruṣas*. The individual soul (*Jīva*) is a part of the Supreme Self (*Paramātman*), and *svabhāva* is its self-creation. How the *Jīva* becomes subservient to *svabhāva*, the Lord explains further.