May 31, 2010

Gita Chapter 18.41 to 18.45

Braahmanakshatriyavishaam shoodraanaam cha parantapa;
Karmaani pravibhaktaani swabhaavaprabhavairgunaih.
41. Of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, as also the Sudras, O Arjuna, the duties are distributed according to the qualities born of their own nature!

Shamo damastapah shaucham kshaantiraarjavameva cha;
Jnaanam vijnaanam aastikyam brahmakarma swabhaavajam.
42. Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness and also uprightness, knowledge, realisation and belief in God are the duties of the Brahmanas, born of (their own) nature.

Shauryam tejo dhritirdaakshyam yuddhe chaapyapalaayanam;
Daanameeshwarabhaavashcha kshaatram karmaswabhaavajam.
43. Prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity and also not fleeing from battle, generosity and lordliness are the duties of Kshatriyas, born of (their own) nature.

Krishigaurakshyavaanijyam vaishyakarma swabhaavajam;
Paricharyaatmakam karma shoodrasyaapi swabhaavajam.
44. Agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade are the duties of the Vaishya (merchant class), born of (their own) nature; and action consisting of service is the duty of the Sudra (servant class), born of (their own) nature.
COMMENTARY: When a man does his duties rightly according to his order of life, his heart gets purified and he goes to heaven.

Swe swe karmanyabhiratah samsiddhim labhate narah;
Swakarmaniratah siddhim yathaa vindati tacchrinu.
45. Each man, devoted to his own duty, attains perfection. How he attains perfection while being engaged in his own duty, hear now.

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