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
Wahai raja, jika seorang dari golongan diraja tidak dapat hidup dengan pekerjaan biasanya, dalam keadaan darurat dia boleh bertindak sebagai vaiśya, hidup dengan berburu, atau bertindak seperti brāhmaṇa dengan mengajar pengetahuan Veda; namun dalam apa jua keadaan dia tidak boleh mengambil profesion 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.