svabhāva-jam

How it is translated

• born of one’s intrinsic qualities (4)
• work based on one’s nature and guṇas (1)
• according to one’s innate nature (1)

Every verse

1. 18.41ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परंतप।brāhmaṇa-kṣhatriya-viśhāṁ śhūdrāṇāṁ cha parantapaOf Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras, O Arjuna, the duties are distributed according to the qualities born of their own nature.Here: work based on one’s nature and guṇas
2. 18.42शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च।śhamo damas tapaḥ śhauchaṁ kṣhāntir ārjavam eva chaSerenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, and uprightness, as well as knowledge, realization, and belief in God, are the duties of Brahmanas, born of…Here: born of one’s intrinsic qualities
3. 18.43शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्।śhauryaṁ tejo dhṛitir dākṣhyaṁ yuddhe chāpy apalāyanamProwess, splendor, firmness, dexterity, and not fleeing from battle, generosity, and lordliness are the duties of the Kshatriyas, born of their own nature.Here: born of one’s intrinsic qualities
4. 18.44कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्।kṛiṣhi-gau-rakṣhya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśhya-karma svabhāva-jamAgriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade are the duties of the Vaisya (merchant), born of their own nature; and service is the duty of the Sudra (servant-class), born of…Here: born of one’s intrinsic qualities
5. 18.47श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitātBetter is one's own duty, even if it is destitute of merits, than the duty of another well performed. He who does the duty ordained by his own nature incurs no sin.Here: according to one’s innate nature