B.G 18.48
सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत्। सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण धूमेनाग्निरिवावृताः ॥४८॥
O son of Kunti, do not abandon your natural duties, even if they have faults, because all actions are clouded by faults, just as fire is enveloped by smoke.
Gīta Tātparya 18.48
शमो दमः तपः शौचं क्षाञ्तिरार्जवमेव च। ज्नानं विज्नानमास्तिक्यं विप्रकर्म स्वभावजम्॥
Calmness, self-control, austerity, purity, forbearance, uprightness, knowledge, wisdom, and faith are the duties of a Brahmin, qualities born of one's nature.
एते गुणाः किञ्चिदोनाः विप्रात् क्षत्रिय एव च। अधिका वा ब्राह्मणेभ्यः केषुचित् चक्रवर्तिषु॥
These qualities are slightly less in a Kshatriya compared to those distinguished wise ones, or greater in some emperors than in Brahmins.
ऋषयस्त्वेव विज्नेयाः कार्तवीर्यादयो न्रुपाः। शौर्यं तेजो ध्रुतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम्॥
Sages, however, are indeed to be known as kings like Kārtavīrya, with valor, brilliance, steadfastness, skill, and non-retreating in battle.
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्ष्त्रियेऽन्ये गुणा अपि। क्षत्रियोनब्रह्मगुणो वैश्यः कृष्यादिजीवनः॥
Charity, lordliness, and other qualities are inherent in a Kshatriya, not to be found in a Brahmin. A Vaishya's livelihood is through agriculture and related activities.
तत ऊनः शमाद्यैः यः शुश्रूषुः शूद्र उच्यते। अधिकाश्चेद् गुणाः शूद्रे ब्राह्मणादिः स उच्यते॥
A person who lacks calmness and similar qualities is termed a Shudra. However, if a Shudra possesses more qualities, he is considered equivalent to a Brahmin or higher.
ब्राह्मणोऽप्यल्पगुणकः शूद्र एवेति कीर्तितः। नरोऽपि यो देवगुणो ज्ञेयो देवो नृतां गतः॥
A Brahmin with little virtue is indeed called a Shudra. A man who possesses divine qualities is known as a god among men.
इति च।
- stated thus, as well.
"स्वकर्मणा तमभ्यर्च्य"
"Worship him by performing your own duties"
इति वचनाच्च क्षत्रियादिष्वपि शमाद्यनुवृत्तिः ज्ञायते। न हि शमादिकं विना तस्य अभितोऽर्चनं भवति। सम्यक् शमादिभिः अर्चनं हि अभ्यर्चनम्। न हि शमादीन् विना सिद्धिं विन्दति।
From such statements it is understood that even among the Kshatriyas and others, the practice of calmness and similar qualities is observed. Without these qualities, true worship cannot occur. Proper worship is indeed achieved with calmness and similar virtues. Without them, success is not possible.
"यज्ञदानतपः कर्म न त्याज्यम्"
"Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should never be given up"
इत्युक्तत्वाच्च।
- it is stated thus as well.
"शमोमन्निष्ठता बुद्धेः दम इंद्रियनिग्रहः"
"Calmness and steadfastness of the intellect, along with self-control and control of the senses, are essential virtues"
इत्युक्त्वाच्च भागवते।
- stated thus in the Bhagavata Purana.
न च क्षत्रियादिभिरपि शौचतपःशमादिभिः हीनैः भवितव्यमिति तत्तद्धर्मेषु उच्यते।
It is stated that in various duties, even Kshatriyas and others should not be devoid of purity, austerity, and control.
युक्ता हि एतैः सर्वैः र्गुणैः जनकतुलाधारादयः। अतो युद्धकाले अपलायनं ऐश्वर्यं च क्षत्रियस्य विशेषगुणौ।
Janaka, Tuladhara, and others are indeed endowed with all these qualities. Therefore, during times of war, non-retreat and sovereignty are the special qualities of a Kshatriya.
तौ च, कृष्यादयः, जीवनार्थं शुश्रूषा, याजनं, जीवनार्थं प्रतिग्रहश्चेत्येत एव अन्येषां परधर्माः।
Agriculture and other activities, service for livelihood, sacrifices, acceptance for livelihood, and others are indeed the duties of others.
"शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं दानं च क्षत्रियेधिकाः। तद्धीना ब्राह्मणे तस्माद् वैश्ये शूद्रे ततोऽल्पकाः॥
"Valor, brilliance, steadfastness, skill, and charity are qualities predominantly found in Kshatriyas, less so in Brahmins, even less in Vaishyas, and least in Shudras.
अध्यापनं च शुश्रूषा जीवनार्थमृते सताम्। विप्रादिषु क्रमात् ज्ञेयाः शूद्रस्याध्यापनं विना॥
Teaching and caring are meant as livelihood among the learned, except for the virtuous. It should be known that teaching is not meant for the Shudra.
तस्मात् शूद्रोऽल्पशुश्रूषुः स्वभावात् जीवनं विना। एते नैसर्गिका भावाः स्याद्भावोऽन्योपि कुत्रचित्। बलाद् विरुद्धभावस्तु हेयः स्वाभाविकोऽपि यः॥
Therefore, a Shudra, by nature, has little inclination for service without it serving as livelihood. These are natural states, but sometimes another state may exist. However, a contrary state imposed by force, even if it seems natural, should be rejected.
अनिसर्गोपि हि शुभो वर्धनीयः प्रयत्नतः। याजनैश्वर्यपूर्वास्तु नान्यैः कार्याः शुभा अपि। अपलायनं च शूद्राणां ब्रह्मक्षत्रार्थमिष्यते॥"
Even naturally auspicious things require effort to grow. Sacrifices that bring prosperity should be conducted by the right people, not others, even if they seem beneficial. The steadfastness of the Shudras is valued for the benefit of Brahmins and Kshatriyas."
इति च।
- stated thus, as well.
