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
Un vaiśya qui ne peut subsister peut adopter l’occupation d’un śūdra, et un śūdra qui ne trouve pas de maître peut se livrer à des travaux simples, comme fabriquer des paniers et des nattes de paille. Toutefois, une fois la détresse passée, ceux qui ont pris des métiers inférieurs par nécessité doivent les abandonner et revenir à leur devoir convenable; qu’ils ne cherchent pas leur subsistance par un travail blâmable.
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.