SB 10.24.20
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please note: The synonyms, translation and purport of this verse were composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TEXT 20
- varteta brahmaṇā vipro
- rājanyo rakṣayā bhuvaḥ
- vaiśyas tu vārtayā jīvec
- chūdras tu dvija-sevayā
SYNONYMS
varteta—lives; brahmaṇā—by the Vedas; vipraḥ—the brāhmaṇa; rājanyaḥ—the member of the ruling class; rakṣayā—by protection; bhuvaḥ—of the earth; vaiśyaḥ—the vaiśya; tu—on the other hand; vārtayā—by trade; jīvet—lives; śūdraḥ—the śūdra; tu—and; dvija-sevayā—by serving the twice-born brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas.
Translation and purport composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa maintains his life by studying and teaching the Vedas, the member of the royal order by protecting the earth, the vaiśya by trade, and the śūdra by serving the higher, twice-born classes.
PURPORT
After glorifying karma, or work, Lord Kṛṣṇa now explains what He means by prescribed duties born of one's nature. He was not referring to anv whimsical activity, but rather to the religious duties prescribed in the varṇāśrama, or Vedic social system.