Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 11 · Chapter 17

Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Description of the Varṇāśrama System

11.17.1-2

श्रीउद्धव उवाच यस्त्वयाभिहित: पूर्वं धर्मस्त्वद्भ‍‍क्तिलक्षण: । वर्णाश्रमाचारवतां सर्वेषां द्विपदामपि ॥ १ ॥ यथानुष्ठीयमानेन त्वयि भक्तिर्नृणां भवेत् । स्वधर्मेणारविन्दाक्ष तन् ममाख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ २ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca yas tvayābhihitaḥ pūrvaṁ dharmas tvad-bhakti-lakṣaṇaḥ varṇāśramācāravatāṁ sarveṣāṁ dvi-padām api yathānuṣṭhīyamānena tvayi bhaktir nṛṇāṁ bhavet sva-dharmeṇāravindākṣa tan mamākhyātum arhasi

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord, previously You described the principles of devotional service that are to be practiced by followers of the varṇāśrama system and even ordinary, unregulated human beings. My dear lotus-eyed Lord, now please explain to me how all human beings can achieve loving service unto You by the execution of their prescribed duties.

11.17.3-4

पुरा किल महाबाहो धर्मं परमकं प्रभो । यत्तेन हंसरूपेण ब्रह्मणेऽभ्यात्थ माधव ॥ ३ ॥ स इदानीं सुमहता कालेनामित्रकर्शन । न प्रायो भविता मर्त्यलोके प्रागनुशासित: ॥ ४ ॥

purā kila mahā-bāho dharmaṁ paramakaṁ prabho yat tena haṁsa-rūpeṇa brahmaṇe ’bhyāttha mādhava sa idānīṁ su-mahatā kālenāmitra-karśana na prāyo bhavitā martya- loke prāg anuśāsitaḥ

My dear Lord, O mighty-armed one, previously in Your form of Lord Haṁsa You spoke to Lord Brahmā those religious principles that bring supreme happiness to the practitioner. My dear Mādhava, now much time has passed, and that which You previously instructed will soon practically cease to exist, O subduer of the enemy.

11.17.5-6

वक्ता कर्ताविता नान्यो धर्मस्याच्युत ते भुवि । सभायामपि वैरिञ्च्यां यत्र मूर्तिधरा: कला: ॥ ५ ॥ कर्त्रावित्रा प्रवक्त्रा च भवता मधुसूदन । त्यक्ते महीतले देव विनष्टं क: प्रवक्ष्यति ॥ ६ ॥

vaktā kartāvitā nānyo dharmasyācyuta te bhuvi sabhāyām api vairiñcyāṁ yatra mūrti-dharāḥ kalāḥ kartrāvitrā pravaktrā ca bhavatā madhusūdana tyakte mahī-tale deva vinaṣṭaṁ kaḥ pravakṣyati

My dear Lord Acyuta, there is no speaker, creator and protector of supreme religious principles other than Your Lordship, either on the earth or even in the assembly of Lord Brahmā, where the personified Vedas reside. Thus, my dear Lord Madhusūdana, when You, who are the very creator, protector and speaker of spiritual knowledge, abandon the earth, who will again speak this lost knowledge?

11.17.7

तत्त्वं न: सर्वधर्मज्ञ धर्मस्त्वद्भ‍‍क्तिलक्षण: । यथा यस्य विधीयेत तथा वर्णय मे प्रभो ॥ ७ ॥

tat tvaṁ naḥ sarva-dharma-jña dharmas tvad-bhakti-lakṣaṇaḥ yathā yasya vidhīyeta tathā varṇaya me prabho

Therefore, my Lord, since You are the knower of all religious principles, please describe to me the human beings who may execute the path of loving service to You and how such service is to be rendered.

11.17.8

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं स्वभृत्यमुख्येन पृष्ट: स भगवान् हरि: । प्रीत: क्षेमाय मर्त्यानां धर्मानाह सनातनान् ॥ ८ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ sva-bhṛtya-mukhyena pṛṣṭaḥ sa bhagavān hariḥ prītaḥ kṣemāya martyānāṁ dharmān āha sanātanān

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Śrī Uddhava, the best of devotees, thus inquired from the Lord. Hearing his question, the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, was pleased and for the welfare of all conditioned souls spoke those religious principles that are eternal.

11.17.9

श्रीभगवानुवाच धर्म्य एष तव प्रश्न‍ो नै:श्रेयसकरो नृणाम् । वर्णाश्रमाचारवतां तमुद्धव निबोध मे ॥ ९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca dharmya eṣa tava praśno naiḥśreyasa-karo nṛṇām varṇāśramācāravatāṁ tam uddhava nibodha me

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, your question is faithful to religious principles and thus gives rise to the highest perfection in life, pure devotional service, for both ordinary human beings and the followers of the varṇāśrama system. Now please learn from Me those supreme religious principles.

11.17.10

आदौ कृतयुगे वर्णो नृणां हंस इति स्मृत: । कृतकृत्या: प्रजा जात्या तस्मात् कृतयुगं विदु: ॥ १० ॥

ādau kṛta-yuge varṇo nṛṇāṁ haṁsa iti smṛtaḥ kṛta-kṛtyāḥ prajā jātyā tasmāt kṛta-yugaṁ viduḥ

In the beginning, in Satya-yuga, there is only one social class, called haṁsa, to which all human beings belong. In that age all people are unalloyed devotees of the Lord from birth, and thus learned scholars call this first age Kṛta-yuga, or the age in which all religious duties are perfectly fulfilled.

11.17.11

वेद: प्रणव एवाग्रे धर्मोऽहं वृषरूपधृक् । उपासते तपोनिष्ठा हंसं मां मुक्तकिल्बिषा: ॥ ११ ॥

vedaḥ praṇava evāgre dharmo ’haṁ vṛṣa-rūpa-dhṛk upāsate tapo-niṣṭhā haṁsaṁ māṁ mukta-kilbiṣāḥ

In Satya-yuga the undivided Veda is expressed by the syllable om, and I am the only object of mental activities. I become manifest as the four-legged bull of religion, and thus the inhabitants of Satya-yuga, fixed in austerity and free from all sins, worship Me as Lord Haṁsa.

11.17.12

त्रेतामुखे महाभाग प्राणान्मे हृदयात्‍त्रयी । विद्या प्रादुरभूत्तस्या अहमासं त्रिवृन्मख: ॥ १२ ॥

tretā-mukhe mahā-bhāga prāṇān me hṛdayāt trayī vidyā prādurabhūt tasyā aham āsaṁ tri-vṛn makhaḥ

O greatly fortunate one, at the beginning of Tretā-yuga Vedic knowledge appeared from My heart, which is the abode of the air of life, in three divisions — as Ṛg, Sāma and Yajur. Then from that knowledge I appeared as threefold sacrifice.

11.17.13

विप्रक्षत्रियविट्‍शूद्रा मुखबाहूरुपादजा: । वैराजात् पुरुषाज्जाता य आत्माचारलक्षणा: ॥ १३ ॥

vipra-kṣatriya-viṭ-śūdrā mukha-bāhūru-pāda-jāḥ vairājāt puruṣāj jātā ya ātmācāra-lakṣaṇāḥ

In Tretā-yuga the four social orders were manifested from the universal form of the Personality of Godhead. The brāhmaṇas appeared from the Lord’s face, the kṣatriyas from the Lord’s arms, the vaiśyas from the Lord’s thighs and the śūdras from the legs of that mighty form. Each social division was recognized by its particular duties and behavior.

11.17.14

गृहाश्रमो जघनतो ब्रह्मचर्यं हृदो मम । वक्ष:स्थलाद्वनेवास: संन्यास: शिरसि स्थित: ॥ १४ ॥

gṛhāśramo jaghanato brahmacaryaṁ hṛdo mama vakṣaḥ-sthalād vane-vāsaḥ sannyāsaḥ śirasi sthitaḥ

The married order of life appeared from the loins of My universal form, and the celibate students came from My heart. The forest-dwelling retired order of life appeared from My chest, and the renounced order of life was situated within the head of My universal form.

11.17.15

वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च जन्मभूम्यनुसारिणी: । आसन् प्रकृतयो नृणां नीचैर्नीचोत्तमोत्तमा: ॥ १५ ॥

varṇānām āśramāṇāṁ ca janma-bhūmy-anusāriṇīḥ āsan prakṛtayo nṝnāṁ nīcair nīcottamottamāḥ

The various occupational and social divisions of human society appeared according to inferior and superior natures manifest in the situation of the individual’s birth.

11.17.16

शमो दमस्तप: शौचं सन्तोष: क्षान्तिरार्जवम् । मद्भ‍‍क्तिश्च दया सत्यं ब्रह्मप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १६ ॥

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ santoṣaḥ kṣāntir ārjavam mad-bhaktiś ca dayā satyaṁ brahma-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, cleanliness, satisfaction, tolerance, simple straightforwardness, devotion to Me, mercy and truthfulness are the natural qualities of the brāhmaṇas.

11.17.17

तेजो बलं धृति: शौर्यं तितिक्षौदार्यमुद्यम: । स्थैर्यं ब्रह्मण्यमैश्वर्यं क्षत्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १७ ॥

tejo balaṁ dhṛtiḥ śauryaṁ titikṣaudāryam udyamaḥ sthairyaṁ brahmanyam aiśvaryaṁ kṣatra-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Dynamic power, bodily strength, determination, heroism, tolerance, generosity, great endeavor, steadiness, devotion to the brāhmaṇas and leadership are the natural qualities of the kṣatriyas.

11.17.18

आस्तिक्यं दाननिष्ठा च अदम्भो ब्रह्मसेवनम् । अतुष्टिरर्थोपचयैर्वैश्यप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १८ ॥

āstikyaṁ dāna-niṣṭhā ca adambho brahma-sevanam atuṣṭir arthopacayair vaiśya-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Faith in Vedic civilization, dedication to charity, freedom from hypocrisy, service to the brāhmaṇas and perpetually desiring to accumulate more money are the natural qualities of the vaiśyas.

11.17.19

शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चाप्यमायया । तत्र लब्धेन सन्तोष: शूद्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १९ ॥

śuśrūṣaṇaṁ dvija-gavāṁ devānāṁ cāpy amāyayā tatra labdhena santoṣaḥ śūdra-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ

Service without duplicity to the brāhmaṇas, cows, demigods and other worshipable personalities, and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of śūdras.

11.17.20

अशौचमनृतं स्तेयं नास्तिक्यं शुष्कविग्रह: । काम: क्रोधश्च तर्षश्च स भावोऽन्त्यावसायिनाम् ॥ २० ॥

aśaucam anṛtaṁ steyaṁ nāstikyaṁ śuṣka-vigrahaḥ kāmaḥ krodhaś ca tarṣaś ca sa bhāvo ’ntyāvasāyinām

Dirtiness, dishonesty, thievery, faithlessness, useless quarrel, lust, anger and hankering constitute the nature of those in the lowest position outside the varṇāśrama system.

11.17.21

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयमकामक्रोधलोभता । भूतप्रियहितेहा च धर्मोऽयं सार्ववर्णिक: ॥ २१ ॥

ahiṁsā satyam asteyam akāma-krodha-lobhatā bhūta-priya-hitehā ca dharmo ’yaṁ sārva-varṇikaḥ

Nonviolence, truthfulness, honesty, desire for the happiness and welfare of all others and freedom from lust, anger and greed constitute duties for all members of society.

11.17.22

द्वितीयं प्राप्यानुपूर्व्याज्जन्मोपनयनं द्विज: । वसन् गुरुकुले दान्तो ब्रह्माधीयीत चाहूत: ॥ २२ ॥

dvitīyaṁ prāpyānupūrvyāj janmopanayanaṁ dvijaḥ vasan gurukule dānto brahmādhīyīta cāhūtaḥ

The twice-born member of society achieves second birth through the sequence of purificatory ceremonies culminating in Gāyatrī initiation. Being summoned by the spiritual master, he should reside within the guru’s āśrama and with a self-controlled mind carefully study the Vedic literature.

11.17.23

मेखलाजिनदण्डाक्षब्रह्मसूत्रकमण्डलून् । जटिलोऽधौतदद्वासोऽरक्तपीठ: कुशान् दधत् ॥ २३ ॥

mekhalājina-daṇḍākṣa- brahma-sūtra-kamaṇḍalūn jaṭilo ’dhauta-dad-vāso ’rakta-pīṭhaḥ kuśān dadhat

The brahmacārī should regularly dress with a belt of straw and deerskin garments. He should wear matted hair, carry a rod and waterpot and be decorated with akṣa beads and a sacred thread. Carrying pure kuśa grass in his hand, he should never accept a luxurious or sensuous sitting place. He should not unnecessarily polish his teeth, nor should he bleach and iron his clothes.

11.17.24

स्‍नानभोजनहोमेषु जपोच्चारे च वाग्यत: । न च्छिन्द्यान्नखरोमाणि कक्षोपस्थगतान्यपि ॥ २४ ॥

snāna-bhojana-homeṣu japoccāre ca vāg-yataḥ na cchindyān nakha-romāṇi kakṣopastha-gatāny api

A brahmacārī should always remain silent while bathing, eating, attending sacrificial performances, chanting japa or passing stool and urine. He should not cut his nails and hair, including the armpit and pubic hair.

11.17.25

रेतो नावकिरेज्जातु ब्रह्मव्रतधर: स्वयम् । अवकीर्णेऽवगाह्याप्सु यतासुस्‍त्रिपदां जपेत् ॥ २५ ॥

reto nāvakirej jātu brahma-vrata-dharaḥ svayam avakīrṇe ’vagāhyāpsu yatāsus tri-padāṁ japet

One observing the vow of celibate brahmacārī life should never pass semen. If the semen by chance spills out by itself, the brahmacārī should immediately take bath in water, control his breath by prāṇāyāma and chant the Gāyatrī mantra.

11.17.26

अग्‍न्यर्काचार्यगोविप्रगुरुवृद्धसुराञ्शुचि: । समाहित उपासीत सन्ध्ये द्वे यतवाग् जपन् ॥ २६ ॥

agny-arkācārya-go-vipra- guru-vṛddha-surāñ śuciḥ samāhita upāsīta sandhye dve yata-vāg japan

Purified and fixed in consciousness, the brahmacārī should worship the fire-god, sun, ācārya, cows, brāhmaṇas, guru, elderly respectable persons and demigods. He should perform such worship at sunrise and sunset, without speaking but by silently chanting or murmuring the appropriate mantras.

11.17.27

आचार्यं मां विजानीयान्नावमन्येत कर्हिचित् । न मर्त्यबुद्ध्यासूयेत सर्वदेवमयो गुरु: ॥ २७ ॥

ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān navamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhyāsūyeta sarva-deva-mayo guruḥ

One should know the ācārya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.

11.17.28

सायं प्रातरुपानीय भैक्ष्यं तस्मै निवेदयेत् । यच्चान्यदप्यनुज्ञातमुपयुञ्जीत संयत: ॥ २८ ॥

sāyaṁ prātar upānīya bhaikṣyaṁ tasmai nivedayet yac cānyad apy anujñātam upayuñjīta saṁyataḥ

In the morning and evening one should collect foodstuffs and other articles and deliver them to the spiritual master. Then, being self-controlled, one should accept for oneself that which is allotted by the ācārya.

11.17.29

शुश्रूषमाण आचार्यं सदोपासीत नीचवत् । यानशय्यासनस्थानैर्नातिदूरे कृताञ्जलि: ॥ २९ ॥

śuśrūṣamāṇa ācāryaṁ sadopāsīta nīca-vat yāna-śayyāsana-sthānair nāti-dūre kṛtāñjaliḥ

While engaged in serving the spiritual master one should remain as a humble servant, and thus when the guru is walking the servant should humbly walk behind. When the guru lies down to sleep, the servant should also lie down nearby, and when the guru has awakened, the servant should sit near him, massaging his lotus feet and rendering other, similar services. When the guru is sitting down on his āsana, the servant should stand nearby with folded hands, awaiting the guru’s order. In this way one should always worship the spiritual master.

11.17.30

एवंवृत्तो गुरुकुले वसेद् भोगविवर्जित: । विद्या समाप्यते यावद् बिभ्रद् व्रतमखण्डितम् ॥ ३० ॥

evaṁ-vṛtto gurukule vased bhoga-vivarjitaḥ vidyā samāpyate yāvad bibhrad vratam akhaṇḍitam

Until the student has completed his Vedic education he should remain engaged in the āśrama of the spiritual master, should remain completely free of material sense gratification and should not break his vow of celibacy [brahmacarya].

11.17.31

यद्यसौ छन्दसां लोकमारोक्ष्यन् ब्रह्मविष्टपम् । गुरवे विन्यसेद् देहं स्वाध्यायार्थं बृहद्‍व्रत: ॥ ३१ ॥

yady asau chandasāṁ lokam ārokṣyan brahma-viṣṭapam gurave vinyased dehaṁ svādhyāyārthaṁ bṛhad-vrataḥ

If the brahmacārī student desires to ascend to the Maharloka or Brahmaloka planets, then he should completely surrender his activities to the spiritual master and, observing the powerful vow of perpetual celibacy, dedicate himself to superior Vedic studies.

11.17.32

अग्नौ गुरावात्मनि च सर्वभूतेषु मां परम् । अपृथग्धीरुपासीत ब्रह्मवर्चस्व्यकल्मष: ॥ ३२ ॥

agnau gurāv ātmani ca sarva-bhūteṣu māṁ param apṛthag-dhīr upasīta brahma-varcasvy akalmaṣaḥ

Thus enlightened in Vedic knowledge by service to the spiritual master, freed from all sins and duality, one should worship Me as the Supersoul, as I appear within fire, the spiritual master, one’s own self and all living entities.

11.17.33

स्‍त्रीणां निरीक्षणस्पर्शसंलापक्ष्वेलनादिकम् । प्राणिनो मिथुनीभूतानगृहस्थोऽग्रतस्त्यजेत् ॥ ३३ ॥

strīṇāṁ nirīkṣaṇa-sparśa- saṁlāpa-kṣvelanādikam prāṇino mithunī-bhūtān agṛhastho ’gratas tyajet

Those who are not married — sannyāsīs, vānaprasthas and brahmacārīs — should never associate with women by glancing, touching, conversing, joking or sporting. Neither should they ever associate with any living entity engaged in sexual activities.

11.17.34-35

शौचमाचमनं स्‍नानं सन्ध्योपास्तिर्ममार्चनम् । तीर्थसेवा जपोऽस्पृश्याभक्ष्यासम्भाष्यवर्जनम् ॥ ३४ ॥ सर्वाश्रमप्रयुक्तोऽयं नियम: कुलनन्दन । मद्भ‍ाव: सर्वभूतेषु मनोवाक्कायसंयम: ॥ ३५ ॥

śaucam ācamanaṁ snānaṁ sandhyopāstir mamārcanam tīrtha-sevā japo ’spṛśyā- bhakṣyāsambhāṣya-varjanam sarvāśrama-prayukto ’yaṁ niyamaḥ kula-nandana mad-bhāvaḥ sarva-bhūteṣu mano-vāk-kāya-saṁyamaḥ

My dear Uddhava, general cleanliness, washing the hands, bathing, performing religious services at sunrise, noon and sunset, worshiping Me, visiting holy places, chanting japa, avoiding that which is untouchable, uneatable or not to be discussed, and remembering My existence within all living entities as the Supersoul — these principles should be followed by all members of society through regulation of the mind, words and body.

11.17.36

एवं बृहद्‍व्रतधरो ब्राह्मणोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन् । मद्भ‍क्तस्तीव्रतपसा दग्धकर्माशयोऽमल: ॥ ३६ ॥

evaṁ bṛhad-vrata-dharo brāhmaṇo ’gnir iva jvalan mad-bhaktas tīvra-tapasā dagdha-karmāśayo ’malaḥ

A brāhmaṇa observing the great vow of celibacy becomes brilliant like fire and by serious austerity burns to ashes the propensity to perform material activities. Free from the contamination of material desire, he becomes My devotee.

11.17.37

अथानन्तरमावेक्ष्यन् यथा जिज्ञासितागम: । गुरवे दक्षिणां दत्त्वा स्‍नायाद् गुर्वनुमोदित: ॥ ३७ ॥

athānantaram āvekṣyan yathā-jijñāsitāgamaḥ gurave dakṣiṇāṁ dattvā snāyād gurv-anumoditaḥ

A brahmacārī who has completed his Vedic education and desires to enter household life should offer proper remuneration to the spiritual master, bathe, cut his hair, put on proper clothes, and so on. Then, taking permission from the guru, he should go back to his home.

11.17.38

गृहं वनं वोपविशेत् प्रव्रजेद् वा द्विजोत्तम: । आश्रमादाश्रमं गच्छेन्नान्यथामत्परश्चरेत् ॥ ३८ ॥

gṛhaṁ vanaṁ vopaviśet pravrajed vā dvijottamaḥ āśramād āśramaṁ gacchen nānyathāmat-paraś caret

A brahmacārī desiring to fulfill his material desires should live at home with his family, and a householder who is eager to purify his consciousness should enter the forest, whereas a purified brāhmaṇa should accept the renounced order of life. One who is not surrendered to Me should move progressively from one āśrama to another, never acting otherwise.

11.17.39

गृहार्थी सद‍ृशीं भार्यामुद्वहेदजुगुप्सिताम् । यवीयसीं तु वयसा यां सवर्णामनुक्रमात् ॥ ३९ ॥

gṛhārthī sadṛśīṁ bhāryām udvahed ajugupsitām yavīyasīṁ tu vayasā yāṁ sa-varṇām anu kramāt

One who desires to establish family life should marry a wife of his own caste, who is beyond reproach and younger in age. If one desires to accept many wives he must marry them after the first marriage, and each wife should be of a successively lower caste.

11.17.40

इज्याध्ययनदानानि सर्वेषां च द्विजन्मनाम् । प्रतिग्रहोऽध्यापनं च ब्राह्मणस्यैव याजनम् ॥ ४० ॥

ijyādhyayana-dānāni sarveṣāṁ ca dvi-janmanām pratigraho ’dhyāpanaṁ ca brāhmaṇasyaiva yājanam

All twice-born men — brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas — must perform sacrifice, study the Vedic literature and give charity. Only the brāhmaṇas, however, accept charity, teach the Vedic knowledge and perform sacrifice on behalf of others.

11.17.41

प्रतिग्रहं मन्यमानस्तपस्तेजोयशोनुदम् । अन्याभ्यामेव जीवेत शिलैर्वा दोषद‍ृक् तयो: ॥ ४१ ॥

pratigrahaṁ manyamānas tapas-tejo-yaśo-nudam anyābhyām eva jīveta śilair vā doṣa-dṛk tayoḥ

A brāhmaṇa who considers that accepting charity from others will destroy his austerity, spiritual influence and fame should maintain himself by the other two brahminical occupations, namely teaching Vedic knowledge and performing sacrifice. If the brāhmaṇa considers that those two occupations also compromise his spiritual position, then he should collect rejected grains in agricultural fields and live without any dependence on others.

11.17.42

ब्राह्मणस्य हि देहोऽयं क्षुद्रकामाय नेष्यते । कृच्छ्राय तपसे चेह प्रेत्यानन्तसुखाय च ॥ ४२ ॥

brāhmaṇasya hi deho ’yaṁ kṣudra-kāmāya neṣyate kṛcchrāya tapase ceha pretyānanta-sukhāya ca

The body of a brāhmaṇa is not intended to enjoy insignificant material sense gratification; rather, by accepting difficult austerities in his life, a brāhmaṇa will enjoy unlimited happiness after death.

11.17.43

शिलोञ्छवृत्त्या परितुष्टचित्तो धर्मं महान्तं विरजं जुषाण: । मय्यर्पितात्मा गृह एव तिष्ठ- न्नातिप्रसक्त: समुपैति शान्तिम् ॥ ४३ ॥

śiloñcha-vṛttyā parituṣṭa-citto dharmaṁ mahāntaṁ virajaṁ juṣāṇaḥ mayy arpitātmā gṛha eva tiṣṭhan nāti-prasaktaḥ samupaiti śāntim

A brāhmaṇa householder should remain satisfied in mind by gleaning rejected grains from agricultural fields and marketplaces. Keeping himself free of personal desire, he should practice magnanimous religious principles, with consciousness absorbed in Me. In this way a brāhmaṇa may stay at home as a householder without very much attachment and thus achieve liberation.

11.17.44

समुद्धरन्ति ये विप्रं सीदन्तं मत्परायणम् । तानुद्धरिष्ये नचिरादापद्‍भ्यो नौरिवार्णवात् ॥ ४४ ॥

samuddharanti ye vipraṁ sīdantaṁ mat-parāyaṇam tān uddhariṣye na cirād āpadbhyo naur ivārṇavāt

Just as a ship rescues those who have fallen into the ocean, similarly, I very quickly rescue from all calamities those persons who uplift brāhmaṇas and devotees suffering in a poverty-stricken condition.

11.17.45

सर्वा: समुद्धरेद् राजा पितेव व्यसनात् प्रजा: । आत्मानमात्मना धीरो यथा गजपतिर्गजान् ॥ ४५ ॥

sarvāḥ samuddhared rājā piteva vyasanāt prajāḥ ātmānam ātmanā dhīro yathā gaja-patir gajān

Just as the chief bull elephant protects all other elephants in his herd and defends himself as well, similarly, a fearless king, just like a father, must save all of the citizens from difficulty and also protect himself.

11.17.46

एवंविधो नरपतिर्विमानेनार्कवर्चसा । विधूयेहाशुभं कृत्‍स्‍नमिन्द्रेण सह मोदते ॥ ४६ ॥

evaṁ-vidho nara-patir vimānenārka-varcasā vidhūyehāśubhaṁ kṛtsnam indreṇa saha modate

An earthly king who protects himself and all citizens by removing all sins from his kingdom will certainly enjoy with Lord Indra in airplanes as brilliant as the sun.

11.17.47

सीदन् विप्रो वणिग्वृत्त्या पण्यैरेवापदं तरेत् । खड्‍गेन वापदाक्रान्तो न श्ववृत्त्या कथञ्चन ॥ ४७ ॥

sīdan vipro vaṇig-vṛttyā paṇyair evāpadaṁ taret khaḍgena vāpadākrānto na śva-vṛttyā kathañcana

If a brāhmaṇa cannot support himself through his regular duties and is thus suffering, he may adopt the occupation of a merchant and overcome his destitute condition by buying and selling material things. If he continues to suffer extreme poverty even as a merchant, then he may adopt the occupation of a kṣatriya, taking sword in hand. But he cannot in any circumstances become like a dog, accepting an ordinary master.

11.17.48

वैश्यवृत्त्या तु राजन्यो जीवेन्मृगययापदि । चरेद् वा विप्ररूपेण न श्ववृत्त्या कथञ्चन ॥ ४८ ॥

vaiśya-vṛttyā tu rājanyo jīven mṛgayayāpadi cared vā vipra-rūpeṇa na śva-vṛttyā kathañcana

A king or other member of the royal order who cannot maintain himself by his normal occupation may act as a vaiśya, may live by hunting or may act as a brāhmaṇa by teaching others Vedic knowledge. But he may not under any circumstances adopt the profession of a śūdra.

11.17.49

शूद्रवृत्तिं भजेद् वैश्य: शूद्र: कारुकटक्रियाम् । कृच्छ्रान्मुक्तो न गर्ह्येण वृत्तिं लिप्सेत कर्मणा ॥ ४९ ॥

śūdra-vṛttiṁ bhajed vaiśyaḥ śūdraḥ kāru-kaṭa-kriyām kṛcchrān mukto na garhyeṇa vṛttiṁ lipseta karmaṇā

A vaiśya, or mercantile man, who cannot maintain himself may adopt the occupation of a śūdra, and a śūdra who cannot find a master can engage in simple activities like making baskets and mats of straw. However, all members of society who have adopted inferior occupations in emergency situations must give up those substitute occupations when the difficulties have passed.

11.17.50

वेदाध्यायस्वधास्वाहाबल्यन्नाद्यैर्यथोदयम् । देवर्षिपितृभूतानि मद्रूपाण्यन्वहं यजेत् ॥ ५० ॥

vedādhyāya-svadhā-svāhā- baly-annādyair yathodayam devarṣi-pitṛ-bhūtāni mad-rūpāṇy anv-ahaṁ yajet

One in the gṛhastha order of life should daily worship the sages by Vedic study, the forefathers by offering the mantra svadhā, the demigods by chanting svāhā, all living entities by offering shares of one’s meals, and human beings by offering grains and water. Thus considering the demigods, sages, forefathers, living entities and human beings to be manifestations of My potency, one should daily perform these five sacrifices.

11.17.51

यद‍ृच्छयोपपन्नेन शुक्लेनोपार्जितेन वा । धनेनापीडयन् भृत्यान् न्यायेनैवाहरेत् क्रतून् ॥ ५१ ॥

yadṛcchayopapannena śuklenopārjitena vā dhanenāpīḍayan bhṛtyān nyāyenaivāharet kratūn

A householder should comfortably maintain his dependents either with money that comes of its own accord or with that gathered by honest execution of one’s duties. According to one’s means, one should perform sacrifices and other religious ceremonies.

11.17.52

कुटुम्बेषु न सज्जेत न प्रमाद्येत् कुटुम्ब्यपि । विपश्चिन्नश्वरं पश्येदद‍ृष्टमपि द‍ृष्टवत् ॥ ५२ ॥

kuṭumbeṣu na sajjeta na pramādyet kuṭumby api vipaścin naśvaraṁ paśyed adṛṣṭam api dṛṣṭa-vat

A householder taking care of many dependent family members should not become materially attached to them, nor should he become mentally unbalanced, considering himself to be the lord. An intelligent householder should see that all possible future happiness, just like that which he has already experienced, is temporary.

11.17.53

पुत्रदाराप्तबन्धूनां सङ्गम: पान्थसङ्गम: । अनुदेहं वियन्त्येते स्वप्नो निद्रानुगो यथा ॥ ५३ ॥

putra-dārāpta-bandhūnāṁ saṅgamaḥ pāntha-saṅgamaḥ anu-dehaṁ viyanty ete svapno nidrānugo yathā

The association of children, wife, relatives and friends is just like the brief meeting of travelers. With each change of body one is separated from all such associates, just as one loses the objects one possesses in a dream when the dream is over.

11.17.54

इत्थं परिमृशन्मुक्तो गृहेष्वतिथिवद् वसन् । न गृहैरनुबध्येत निर्ममो निरहङ्कृत: ॥ ५४ ॥

itthaṁ parimṛśan mukto gṛheṣv atithi-vad vasan na gṛhair anubadhyeta nirmamo nirahaṅkṛtaḥ

Deeply considering the actual situation, a liberated soul should live at home just like a guest, without any sense of proprietorship or false ego. In this way he will not be bound or entangled by domestic affairs.

11.17.55

कर्मभिगृहमेधीयैरिष्ट्वा मामेव भक्तिमान् । तिष्ठेद् वनं वोपविशेत् प्रजावान् वा परिव्रजेत् ॥ ५५ ॥

karmabhir gṛha-medhīyair iṣṭvā mām eva bhaktimān tiṣṭhed vanaṁ vopaviśet prajāvān vā parivrajet

A householder devotee who worships Me by execution of his family duties may remain at home, go to a holy place or, if he has a responsible son, take sannyāsa.

11.17.56

यस्त्वासक्तमतिर्गेहे पुत्रवित्तैषणातुर: । स्‍त्रैण: कृपणधीर्मूढो ममाहमिति बध्यते ॥ ५६ ॥

yas tv āsakta-matir gehe putra-vittaiṣaṇāturaḥ straiṇaḥ kṛpaṇa-dhīr mūḍho mamāham iti badhyate

But a householder whose mind is attached to his home and who is thus disturbed by ardent desires to enjoy his money and children, who is lusty after women, who is possessed of a miserly mentality and who unintelligently thinks, “Everything is mine and I am everything,” is certainly bound in illusion.

11.17.57

अहो मे पितरौ वृद्धौ भार्या बालात्मजात्मजा: । अनाथा मामृते दीना: कथं जीवन्ति दु:खिता: ॥ ५७ ॥

aho me pitarau vṛddhau bhāryā bālātmajātmajāḥ anāthā mām ṛte dīnāḥ kathaṁ jīvanti duḥkhitāḥ

“O my poor elderly parents, and my wife with a mere infant in her arms, and my other young children! Without me they have absolutely no one to protect them and will suffer unbearably. How can my poor relatives possibly live without me?”

11.17.58

एवं गृहाशयाक्षिप्तहृदयो मूढधीरयम् । अतृप्तस्ताननुध्यायन् मृतोऽन्धं विशते तम: ॥ ५८ ॥

evaṁ gṛhāśayākṣipta- hṛdayo mūḍha-dhīr ayam atṛptas tān anudhyāyan mṛto ’ndhaṁ viśate tamaḥ

Thus, because of his foolish mentality, a householder whose heart is overwhelmed by family attachment is never satisfied. Constantly meditating on his relatives, he dies and enters into the darkness of ignorance.