Verse-44
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 44
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
kṛṣigoraksyavāṇijyam vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam
paricaryātmakam karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam
🕉 English Translation
Kheti va gau raksha va vyapaar bhi,
Hai vaisya ke hee karma yeh sabhi.
Seva mein sabki jo tatpar rahe,
Karma shudra ka hai yeh swabhav se.
📜 Translation
English
Agriculture, attending to the cattle and trade–these are the natural deeds of the Vaisyas. To serve all is the duty of the Shudras, born of his nature.
With regard to the deeds of the Vaisyas three main indications have been given–agriculture, attending to cattle and trade. India is a country where agriculture is the main occupation. Agriculture is the chief means of earning a living here. Along with agriculture, the matter of trade also finds mention here. With the Vaisyas another word 'vanik' i.e. businessman is also used. The meaning of this is, the one whose intellect is business-like, who engages in trade and carries it forward–all these are found in the nature of the Vaisyas. If the word 'trade' has found mention in the Gita then it needs to be treated in a right and justified manner. In trade there should be no unrighteousness, immorality, injustice, corruption and looting. The wealth earned by unfair means will remain here whereas the consequence of unrighteousness will follow us on our onward journey. This is a losing enterprise in every sense. It is proper that business be conducted in a rightful manner.
With reference to the deeds of the Vaisyas the preacher of the Gita has given a very significant indication–the protection of the cows. This should be taken as a matter of glory. The cow is our faith and also our emotions are attached to it. The cow plays an important role in providing remedy for bodily ailments, for mental peace, feeling of well being in the family, for the prosperity of the nation, ecological balance, environmental purification. Cows have to be protected by all means.
Only one deed of the Shudras has been related–service! Many persons take and see this word in an inferior sense. Somewhere by using the word 'dalit' (indicating oppressed persons) they are viewed as separate from the social stream. This is not right from any point of view. They are a very important part of the society. The weaver weaves the cloth; the carpenter does wood work. With tables and chairs he decorates the house; the barber takes care of our hair, some work in the house or in the factory–all these are not dalits, or of low bred or of inferior category. They are strong pillars for satisfying our needs. The body is working. Every organ has a role to play. If the mind has its own place in planning, then the arms perform work and provide protection. The stomach performs the important duty of nurturing and nourishing the entire body; the limbs take on the entire weight of the body. Here the issue is not that of big or small or low or high. All have their own responsibilities and importance. According to the division of labor this is the arrangement.