Better is one's own duty (svadharma), though imperfect, than the duty of another well performed. Death in one's own duty (svadharma) is better; the duty of another brings fear.
Your own duty done imperfectly is better than another man's done well. It is better to die in one's own duty; another man's duty is perilous.
(35) Better one's own duty [to perform], though void of merit, than to do another's well: better to die within [the sphere of] one's own duty: perilous is the duty of other men.
3.35 One's own duty [Customary or scripturally ordained observances of different castes and sects.-Tr.], though defective, is superior to another's duty well-performed. Death is better while engaged in one's own duty; another's duty is fraught with fear.
3.35 Better is one's own duty, though ill-done, than the duty of another well-performed. Better is death in one's own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fear.
3.35 Better is one's own duty, though devoid of merit than the duty of another well discharged. Better is death in one's own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fear (is productive of danger).