Sridharāya namah

Maharishi Nārada explains to Emperor Yudhishthira the duties applicable to the people belonging to the four castes. He continued,

“There are four occupational duties applicable to Brahmins. In addition to serving the Lord, the Brahmin could also engage in agriculture and related activities; accept that which comes on its own without having to beg (śālīnam); or could daily beg for rice and other foodgrains required for living (yāyavaram); or pick up the grains that are fallen in the paddy fields and which are left unpicked by the farmer (śilocana) and survive on them. Among them, the succeeding occupation is more superior to its preceding one.

Except in times of emergency, people belonging to one caste should not accept the occupational duties of another caste. One should be wary of the pretentious who, although possessing well-stocked granaries, beg as if they are suffering due to dire poverty. During times of emergencies everyone barring Kshatriyas (warrior clan), can accept the occupations of other clans and castes. Since warriors have the obligatory duty to fight for their motherland, they cannot accept any other occupational duties.

The activities of ṛta, amṛta, mṛta, prāmṛta or satyanṛta can be taken up for livelihood. However under no circumstances should a person accept the profession of the canḍālas. Canḍālas are those who eat dog-meat.

Ŗta means to pick grains that are fallen in the paddy fields and to sustain on them. Amṛta means to accept that which comes on its own (without any desire on the part of the person). Mṛta means to beg grains daily from others. **Prāmṛta **means tilling and other agricultural activities undertaken for livelihood. Trading is known as satyanṛta.

Śva-vṛtti means to serve a low-grade or degraded person for the purposes of livelihood. A Vedic Brahmin scholar or a kshatriya (warrior) should never accept sva-vṛtti. They should never accept such despicable positions. This is because all the Vedas reside within the Vedic Brahmin scholar. Similarly a king is an embodiment of all the Devatas.

Practicing mind-control, sense-control, undertaking penance (tapas), maintaining inner and outer cleanliness, being contented with one’s possessions, being tolerant towards both happiness and sorrows, being non-deceitful, having discriminatory intelligence, being compassionate towards other forms of life, fixing the intellect solely upon Srihari and abiding by truthfulness are the qualities of a Brahmin.

Being enthusiastic towards battle, able to influence others, displaying courage and fearlessness, having charitable disposition, establishing victory over mind, having patience, being devoted towards Vedic Brahmin scholars, helping and protecting the citizens are the qualities of a Kshatriya (warrior, king).

Being devoted towards Gods and Gurus, perfectly abiding by the principles of righteousness (dharma), materialistic earnings (artha) and fulfilment of desires (kāma), having faith in the existence of God, at all times courageously engaging in work and showing expertise in its completion are the qualities of traders (vysyas).

Being humble, maintaining inner and outer cleanliness, serving the master honestly without deceit, performing worship unaccompanied by mantra chanting, non-stealing other’s wealth, abiding by truthfulness, protecting cows and Brahmins are the qualities of others”.

People at times engage in worship that is devoid of mantras. The truth is that every action has to be accompanied by mantra. It is a conversation with God. When we serve guests lovingly and ask them to enjoy their meal it is equivalent of mantra. Serving them drinking water is also a mantra. Ensuring their comfort is also a mantra. Sanskrit is a language of Gods. Learning a few Sanskrit words helps communicate with God. It is a beautiful language. At least pray from the heart in your own language. Communication is a must. Whole-heartedly pray- “O Lord I am offer this food to you. Please accept.” It is also valid. There is no sin in communicating in any language. But where the prayer is unaccompanied by any such mantra it is of no use. It is a waste of resources. It is equivalent of inviting people for dinner but giving them an empty plate in which no food is served. Guests remain hungry. There is no benefit in such invitation. Likewise worship devoid of prayers is a waste.

Maharishi Nārada continued, “For a woman, her husband is her God. Serving her husband, behaving in a pleasing manner with him, serving his relations, protecting the disciplines of her husband are the qualities of a woman”.

Achutāya namah