Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 15
Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being
वैश्यस्तु वार्तावृत्ति: स्यान्नित्यं ब्रह्मकुलानुग: । शूद्रस्य द्विजशुश्रूषा वृत्तिश्च स्वामिनो भवेत् ॥ १५ ॥
vaiśyas tu vārtā-vṛttiḥ syān nityaṁ brahma-kulānugaḥ śūdrasya dvija-śuśrūṣā vṛttiś ca svāmino bhavet
Vaiśya hendaknya menekuni vārttā: pertanian, perlindungan sapi, dan perdagangan, serta senantiasa mengikuti arahan kaum brāhmaṇa. Bagi śūdra, satu-satunya kewajiban adalah menerima tuan dari golongan lebih tinggi dan melayani dia॥15॥
FAQs
This verse says a vaiśya should maintain himself through vārtā—agriculture, cow protection, and trade—and remain aligned with and supportive of the brāhmaṇas.
In his instructions on an ideal society, Prahlāda explains regulated duties for each class so that livelihood and conduct support spiritual culture and devotion rather than mere sense enjoyment.
Choose honest work suited to one’s nature, keep life disciplined and service-oriented, respect spiritual learning and teachers, and use one’s occupation to support dharma and devotion.