स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः ।
स्वकर्मनिरतः सिद्धिं यथा विन्दति तच्छृणु ॥ १८.४५ ॥

sve sve karmaṇy-abhirata: samsiddhim labhate nara: |
svakarma-nirata: siddhim yathā vindati tacchṛṇu || 18.45 ||

Spiritual fulfillment through devout actions

Having explained how human society has within itself a basic fourfold categorization, which facilitates its activities and harmonizes social well-being, Krishna explains how all categories have full scope to strive for and gain spiritual fulfillment. The differences in class or category – far from being any ground for superiority, inferiority or other such divisive or discriminating considerations – institute a wholesome mutuality and complementariness. Nothing great will be beautiful and meaningful, unless it embodies ample variety and distinctions!

Performing attentively one’s own activity, man attains spiritual fruition. Listen as to how one, engaged in his own duty, reaches perfection.

Each may be given to his way of life, profession or pursuit. No matter what it is, or how greatly it differs from that of others, fulfillment lies in pursuing these with full interest and dedication.

While the pursuit is external, the attitude with which it is conducted is purely an internal quality. And this is what verily counts in bringing the necessary inner enrichment. The lively pursuit of one’s way of life – whatever it may be – can verily lead to spiritual perfection.

What is meant by ‘perfection’? Krishna explains it in the course of his further elucidation (49-55). Siddhiḥ, meaning the spiritual fruition, is a word he has used earlier. Here, he speaks of sam-siddhiḥ, meaning fruition of a perfect (samyak siddhiḥ) nature. It means that there is nothing more than this. What is this spiritual perfection is to be thought of in depth. Krishna’s discussion is thus very important even to advanced sādhakas.