Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 49
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
शूद्रवृत्तिं भजेद् वैश्य: शूद्र: कारुकटक्रियाम् । कृच्छ्रान्मुक्तो न गर्ह्येण वृत्तिं लिप्सेत कर्मणा ॥ ४९ ॥
śūdra-vṛttiṁ bhajed vaiśyaḥ śūdraḥ kāru-kaṭa-kriyām kṛcchrān mukto na garhyeṇa vṛttiṁ lipseta karmaṇā
Ein Vaiśya, der sich nicht erhalten kann, darf die Tätigkeit eines Śūdra annehmen, und ein Śūdra, der keinen Herrn findet, kann einfache Arbeiten verrichten, wie Körbe und Strohmatten flechten. Doch wenn die Not vorüber ist, müssen alle, die in der Krise niedrigere Berufe ergriffen haben, diese wieder aufgeben und zu ihrer angemessenen Pflicht zurückkehren; man soll nicht nach Lebensunterhalt durch tadelnswerte Arbeit verlangen.
FAQs
This verse teaches flexibility in occupations during necessity, but warns that once one is out of hardship, one should not maintain oneself through work that is morally condemned.
In the Uddhava Gita, Krishna summarizes varna-ashrama principles for maintaining society and spiritual progress; here He clarifies what is permissible in distress and what should be avoided when stability returns.
If forced by circumstances, take honest work even outside your usual field, but when you regain stability, avoid unethical income sources and choose a livelihood aligned with integrity and dharma.