॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
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वर्णाश्रमाचारवतां सर्वेषां द्विपदामपि ॥ यथानुष्ठीयमानेन त्वयि भक्तिर्नृणां भवेत् ।
T: Uddhava asks humbly, "Bhagavan, would you, as the supreme teacher, instruct me as to what should be the code of conduct for every human being in society, in his Varna and Ashrama? How does he conduct himself such that he attains you through Bhakti!?"
So this question is relevant to every seeker in us. Bhagavan begins by saying that he has taught all this long ago through Brahma to everyone. He begins by describing the earliest epoch called Kritayuga or Satya Yuga when there were a few people and all of them had spiritual knowledge.
आदौ कृतयुगे वर्णो नृणां हंस इति स्मृतः । कृतकृत्याः प्रजा जात्या तस्मात्कृतयुगं विदुः ॥
वेदः प्रणव एवाग्रे धर्मोऽहं वृषरूपधृक् । उपासते तपोनिष्ठा हंसं मां मुक्तकिल्बिषाः ॥
T: "Dear Uddhava, in the Satya Yuga, the Vedas were all expressed just by the mystic syllable OM and I as the Hamsa was the subject of all contemplation. People fulfilled all their roles in society and accomplished their goals as seekers. Hence the epoch was called Krita also, meaning "the age of fulfilment." I was also perceived as the Bull of Dharma (a metaphor for the supreme protector)."
वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च जन्मभूम्यनुसारिणीः ।आसन् प्रकृतयो नॄणां नीचैर्नीचोत्तमोत्तमाः ॥
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं सन्तोषः क्षान्तिरार्जवम् ।मद्भक्तिश्च दया सत्यं ब्रह्मप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥
तेजो बलं धृतिः शौर्यं तितिक्षौदार्यमुद्यमः ।स्थैर्यं ब्रह्मण्यमैश्वर्यं क्षत्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥
तेजो बलं धृतिः शौर्यं तितिक्षौदार्यमुद्यमः ।स्थैर्यं ब्रह्मण्यमैश्वर्यं क्षत्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥
आस्तिक्यं दाननिष्ठा च अदम्भो ब्रह्मसेवनम् ।अतुष्टिरर्थोपचयैर्वैश्यप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥
शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चाप्यमायया ।तत्र लब्धेन सन्तोषः शूद्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥
शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चाप्यमायया ।तत्र लब्धेन सन्तोषः शूद्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥
T: The Varna system evolved in society purely based on talents and propensities. The men take birth in various families based on their Samskaras (Jiva). Some are naturally evolved higher than others.
For example, the Brahmin epitomises self-control, abstinence, austerity, natural cheerfulness rather than worldly seeking, forbearance and forgiveness, and truthfulness. He has a natural rising of Bhakti towards me. He has compassion and can be seen espousing truth always.
The Kshatriya is recognisable by his radiance of physique, strength, fearlessness, toughness in pain, generosity, talent for realising Brahman, and a natural sense of prosperity.
The Vaishya (this would include today all professions in trade, commerce, industry, agriculture, value-added services, e-commerce, playing in the stock market, banking, money-lending, knowledge-based businesses, and so on!) is a Dharmic follower with a propensity to donate generously, displaying non-arrogance, reverence for Brahmins, and a constant urge to grow one's wealth.
The Shudra is marked by a tendency to take up service to others, especially Brahmins, tending cattle, and displaying a manifest devotion to gods and temples. A Shudra is happy with whatever he has and is not the typical militant proletariat.
अशौचमनृतं स्तेयं नास्तिक्यं शुष्कविग्रहः । कामः क्रोधश्च तर्षश्च स्वभावोऽन्तेवसायिनाम् ॥
T: Who are excluded from the four Varnas? Those who are habitually dirty, given to falsehood and thievery, lack Dharmic beliefs, show quarrelsomeness, are easily angered, lustful and covetous.
अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयमकामक्रोधलोभता । भूतप्रियहितेहा च धर्मोऽयं सार्ववर्णिकः ॥
सर्वाश्रमप्रयुक्तोऽयं नियमः कुलनन्दन ।मद्भावः सर्वभूतेषु मनोवाक्कायसंयमः ॥
T: Everyone in society, of any Varna, has to be espousing non-violence, truthfulness, non-thievery, and not prone to lust, hate or greed. Everyone should feel responsible for nature and other living creatures on earth. This truly is the Dharma of every Varna.
Dear Uddhava, the pride of our clan, know that everyone in society, without exception, should cultivate and exhibit the quality of seeing Bhagavan in every living creature. Also, everyone should practise self-regulation in thought, speech and actions, considering the larger good.
Then there are elaborate descriptions of activities and practices that shape a Brahmin. This is indeed the life in the Gurukula. Sri Krishna explains in great detail the routine of a student in the Ashrama, his inherent self-discipline, steadfastness in prayer and ritual, reverence for the Guru, manifest enthusiasm to please the Guru by modesty, sincerity, studiousness, truthfulness, good cheer and kindness and versatile abilities. These shlokas are not quoted here. I am clear in my mind that without Gurukula-vasa, developing true excellence in Brahmins is nearly impossible.
A man may choose to become a householder. He should then carefully select his life partner by seeing her ability to pursue his values and lifestyle lovingly and efficiently.
There are many, many shlokas explaining how a Brahmin should NEVER take up jobs and serve others to make money. He has only two authorised occupations. Teaching and studying the Vedas as well as performing Yajnas and giving help to others in religious activities. He will only officiate in Yajnas. The actual performance as Yajamana of Yajnas which call for social commitment and resources is the responsibility of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas.
Each member of any Varna when in utter distress may resort to other professions for a short period for livelihood, but NEVER sacrificing self-respect or Dharmic Values.
एवं बृहद्व्रतधरो ब्राह्मणोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन् ।मद्भक्तस्तीव्रतपसा दग्धकर्माशयोऽमलः ॥
T: A Brahmin who observes high austerity and self-discipline exudes a radiance of purity and intellectual brilliance like the blazing fire. My Bhakta will perform intense Tapas and burn all his past Karmas and desires, and become indeed sparklingly pure in nature.
समुद्धरन्ति ये विप्रं सीदन्तं मत्परायणम् । तानुद्धरिष्ये न चिरादापद्भ्यो नौरिवार्णवात् ॥
T: Those in society who take care of the Brahmin who is my Bhakta and is perhaps experiencing material or physical distress will in turn be cherished and taken care of by me (Bhagavan himself) quickly, and I shall protect them and help them to cross the ocean of life acting as the fail-safe boat!
सर्वाः समुद्धरेद्राजा पितेव व्यसनात्प्रजाः । आत्मानमात्मना धीरो यथा गजपतिर्गजान् ॥
T: Finally, the duty of a king is to take care of all citizens dearly and unstintingly as his own children. They are his own, and he should see them as himself. Have you noticed how a giant tusker sacrifices his all to take care of his herd of elephants?
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After listing all these Do's, Bhagavan Sri Krishna winds up the discourse with a note of caution. A householder is prone to build his castles in the air around his family - his wife and children. They will become his be-all and end-all. But it is most foolish to think that he is indeed the boss taking care of them. Such attachment breeds weakness and causes a fall from Dharma! A true seeker knows to trust in Bhagavan with the adage, "Do your duty the best, and leave unto God the rest."
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