Shloka 20
Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas
वर्तेत ब्रह्मणा विप्रो राजन्यो रक्षया भुव: । वैश्यस्तु वार्तया जीवेच्छूद्रस्तु द्विजसेवया ॥ २० ॥
varteta brahmaṇā vipro rājanyo rakṣayā bhuvaḥ vaiśyas tu vārtayā jīvec chūdras tu dvija-sevayā
Der Brāhmaṇa erhält sich durch Studium und Lehre der Veden, der Kṣatriya durch den Schutz der Erde, der Vaiśya durch Handel und Erwerb, und der Śūdra durch Dienst an den Zweimalgeborenen.
After glorifying karma, or work, Lord Kṛṣṇa now explains what He means by prescribed duties born of one’s nature. He was not referring to any whimsical activity, but rather to the religious duties prescribed in the varṇāśrama, or Vedic social system.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa summarizes the traditional duties: brāhmaṇas live by spiritual knowledge, kṣatriyas by protection, vaiśyas by productive economy (vārttā), and śūdras by service to the twice-born.
Kṛṣṇa is guiding Nanda and the Vraja community while discussing whether to perform Indra worship; He explains proper occupational duties and redirects their focus toward the most relevant worship for their livelihood and dharma.
Align your work with integrity and service: cultivate wisdom and teaching, protect and lead responsibly, create honest livelihoods that support society, and serve and support those engaged in higher learning—offering the results to God.