शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च | ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम्
śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṃ kṣāntirārjavameva ca . jñānaṃ vijñānamāstikyaṃ brahmakarma svabhāvajam
婆罗门的自然职责是：控制内外感官、苦行、纯洁、宽恕、正直、知识以及智慧[知识指对经典所载内容的理解；智慧指将这些内容化为自身经验。]和信仰。
The natural duties of the Brahmanas are the control of the internal and external organs, austerity, purity, forgiveness, straightforwardness, knowledge as also wisdom [Knowledge refers to the understanding of subjects presented by the scriptures; wisdom means making them matters of one's own experience.] and faith.
“शम”（Sama）是控制心意。“दम”（Dama）是控制感官。宁静和自制已在第十七章第二节中解释过。三种苦行也已在第十七章第十四至十六节中解释。“आस्तिक्यम्”（Astikyam）指对上师之言、经典教诲、神的存在、来世以及自身自我的信仰。心意沉浸于自我之中，这带来平静。自制是平静的助手。只有遵循经典的训诫，你才能获得平静和灵性进步。你不能过多争论。你必须对教诲怀有敬畏和信仰。正如檀香树散发着自身甜美的芬芳，正如占婆花树因其可爱的花朵而美丽，婆罗门也因这九种与他密不可分的德性而庄严。现在，哦，阿周那，请听刹帝利的职责。
Sama is control of the mind. Dama is control of the senses. Serenity and selfrestraint have already been explained in XVII.2. Austerity of the three kinds has also been explained in XVII.14 to 16.Astikyam Faith in the words of the Guru? in the teachings of the scriptures? in the existence of God? in the life beyond or hereafter and in ones own Self.The mind is absorbed in the Self. This gives peace. Selfrestraint is the helpmate of peace. In obeying the inunctions of the scriptures alone you will attain peace and spiritual progress. You must not argue too much. You must have reverence for and faith in the teaching.As the sandalwood tree is fragrant with its own sweet scent? as a Champaka tree is adorned by its lovely flowers? so also a Brahmana is adorned by these nine virtues which are inseparable from him.Now? O Arjuna? listen to the duties of a Kshatriya.