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 King, if a member of the royal order cannot maintain himself by his normal occupation, in an emergency he may act as a vaiśya, live by hunting, or act as a brāhmaṇa by teaching Vedic knowledge; but under no circumstances may he adopt the profession of a śūdra.
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.