Better is one’s own duty (though) destitute of merits, than the duty of another well-performed. He who does the duty ordained by his own nature incurs no sin.

śreyān = better; svadharmaḥ = one’s own occupation; viguṇaḥ = imperfectly performed; paradharmāt = than another’s occupation; svanuṣṭhitāt = perfectly done; svabhāvaniyataṃ = prescribed according to one’s nature; karma = work; kurvan = performing; na = never; āpnoti = achieves; kilbiśaṃ = sinful reactions.;