tam uñchaśilaṁ proktam
ṛtāmṛtābhyāṁ jīveta
mṛtena pramṛtena vā
satyānṛtābhyām api vā
na śva-vṛttyā kadācana
In time of emergency, one may accept any of the various types of professions known as ṛta, amṛta, mṛta, pramṛta and satyānṛta, but one should not at any time accept profession of a dog.
The occupations of the brāhmaṇa and the vaiśya are permitted for all during emergencies. This verse is explained in the following verses.
|| 7.11.18-20 ||
ṛtam uñchaśilaṁ proktam
amṛtaṁ yad ayācitam
mṛtaṁ tu nitya-yācñā syāt
pramṛtaṁ karṣaṇaṁ smṛtam
satyānṛtaṁ ca vāṇijyaṁ
śva-vṛttir nīca-sevanam
varjayet tāṁ sadā vipro
rājanyaś ca jugupsitām
sarva-vedamayo vipraḥ
sarva-devamayo nṛpaḥ
The profession of uñchaśila, collecting grains from the field, is called ṛta. Collecting without begging is called amṛta, begging grains is called mṛta, tilling the ground is called pramṛta, and trade is called satyānṛta. Engaging in the service of low-grade persons, however, is called śva-vṛtti, the profession of the dogs. Brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas should not engage in service to those lower, since the brāhmaṇas are the Vedic knowledge, and kṣatriyas are like devatās.
The reason that the brāhmaṇa and kṣatriya should not take service from those who are lower is that the brāhmaṇa is equivalent to the Vedas and the kṣatriya is equivalent to the devatās. However for vaiśyas and śūdras to take employment from those lower than themselves is not so faulty.
|| 7.11.21 ||
śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ
santoṣaḥ kṣāntir ārjavam
jñānaṁ dayācyutātmatvaṁ
satyaṁ ca brahma-lakṣaṇam
The symptoms of a brāhmaṇa are control of the mind, control of the senses, austerity, cleanliness, satisfaction, forgiveness, simplicity, knowledge, mercy, truthfulness, and complete surrender to Viṣṇu.
The unique qualities of each varṇa are now described in four verses. Acyutātmatvam means absorbing the mind in Viṣṇu.
|| 7.11.22 ||
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