Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 48
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
वैश्यवृत्त्या तु राजन्यो जीवेन्मृगययापदि । चरेद् वा विप्ररूपेण न श्ववृत्त्या कथञ्चन ॥ ४८ ॥
vaiśya-vṛttyā tu rājanyo jīven mṛgayayāpadi cared vā vipra-rūpeṇa na śva-vṛttyā kathañcana
O König, wenn ein Angehöriger des königlichen Standes sich durch seine normale Tätigkeit nicht erhalten kann, darf er im Notfall wie ein Vaiśya handeln, von der Jagd leben oder wie ein Brāhmaṇa vedisches Wissen lehren; doch unter keinen Umständen darf er den Beruf eines Śūdra annehmen.
FAQs
This verse says a kṣatriya may adopt a vaiśya’s means of livelihood, or even live like a brāhmaṇa in distress, but should never take up a degrading, “dog-like” livelihood.
In Canto 11 Chapter 17, Śrī Kṛṣṇa is instructing King Yudhiṣṭhira about varṇāśrama principles, so He naturally addresses him as “O King” while outlining royal (kṣatriya) standards.
When facing hardship, choose honest and dignified work—even if it is outside your usual role—while avoiding unethical, demeaning, or harmful ways of earning.