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The above verses from bhagavad gita, one from chapter 3 and the other from chapter 18, look the same to me. Anyway, the message conveyed it seems to be is to perform activities (all in the world in accordance with one's one inherent nature. It says, better die, than doing something that is not natural to you. This is interpreted in n number of ways. Some traditional religious say, we get the swadharma by birth. Other's say, it's not by ones birth, but based on one's gunas or vasanas (impressions) carried from the past (lives?). Swami Chinmayananda explains these verses beautifully in his Gita talks. I have also heard some analogies. The essential nature (swadharma) of poisonous snake is poison. The swadharma (essential nature) of bitter gourd is it's own unique flavor of bitterness. Similarly, everything and every one in the universe seems to have their own essential nature or swadharma. This is the way, I understand it. I read an interesting article about winners of huge lotteries. A study was conducted to see, how they were after a decade or two. The results were nothing but disturbing. While a minority seemed to have taken the sudden shift in life well, adjusted and carried on with their lifes, turning lottery winnings to their advantage. It was described that majority of these huge lottery winners were not living a happy life after a decade or more. That may be an understatement. Many expressed that they wish they never won the lottery. Some said, they were isolated from their family and friends. Some it seems got addicted to drugs or whatever and died within the decade. Money as a goal by itself does not seem to be the goal with just this lottery example. In the context of this, looking at the words from gita, the strong words does seem to make sense. It is better to die doing what is aligned with ones own nature; or the essence of one, rather doing something that is unnatural though it could be profitable. Here is the confusions that I have. Sometimes, it is not clear as to what one's swadharma or essential nature is. At least, I get confused. Some work that I do, feels like, it is not my swadharma at all. There is an expressing, working for the paycheck. People want early retirement. On the other hand, I see some working passionately in their late 70s or 80s. Even though their body is giving up, they don't want to stop their work. Many of these people have money to retire, and it doesn't seem that they are working for money. Sometimes we feel that we know what our swadharma is. Other times it is not clear. Not knowing what swadharma is, one engages in worldly activities including work. Working to make money, work that is not in alignment with the person's nature. There is suffering and misery. There is a longing for the weekend. Monday morning anxiety or anxiety or whatever. Some people watch the clock (nothing wrong in this). At 5 PM, they get up and leave. It seems that they were tied to that seat til 5 PM. At 5:01, it feels like release, freedom, get up and leave. Is this the right way to live the life. On the other side, a grihasta or house holder has duties to perform. Take care of one's family, provide for them the life style they are used to. Strive to provide at least. Therefore invariably, many end up doing what they do not enjoy to make the life style demanded by their circumstances. Many a times it does feel like the camel walking slow with heavy burden that he has described. He hits the nail (swadharma) with the words "his dharma-be". Clearly stating that when one performs against his "dharma-be" as he calls it, results in lethargy, despair, etc. Seems in-line with the words from gita. The solution presented on the book, is prayer. Yes, prayer does help. So does meditation, yoga, etc. But, even after performing these (may be more time and patience is needed), one is struggling to find what his swadharma is. Trying to get the balance of performaing according to one's nature (if it is known) and balancing the needs (duties) that one has to perform towards his family & society. What is the way to find one's swadharma? What is the right duty for each person? How does one conclude some work is his swadharma or not? How to balance it with the duties of a house holder? The answers to my questions may already be there on gita itself, may be I can't grasp it. Would love to hear the views (answers?), from others on this topic...