B.G 18.48
sahajaṁ karma kaunteya sadoṣamapi na tyajet। sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnirivāvṛtāḥ ॥48॥
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
śamo damaḥ tapaḥ śaucaṃ kṣāntirārjavameva ca। jñānaṃ vijñānamāstikyaṃ viprakarma svabhāvajam॥
Calmness, self-control, austerity, purity, forbearance, uprightness, knowledge, wisdom, and faith are the duties of a Brahmin, qualities born of one's nature.
ete guṇāḥ kiñcidonāḥ viprāt kṣatriya eva ca। adhikā vā brāhmaṇebhyaḥ keṣucit cakravartiṣu॥
These qualities are slightly less in a Kshatriya compared to those distinguished wise ones, or greater in some emperors than in Brahmins.
ṛṣayastveva vijñeyāḥ kārtavīryādayo nr̥pāḥ। śauryaṃ tejo dhr̥tirdākṣyaṃ yuddhe cāpyapalāyanam॥
Sages, however, are indeed to be known as kings like Kārtavīrya, with valor, brilliance, steadfastness, skill, and non-retreating in battle.
dānam īśvarabhāvaś ca kṣtriyeṉye guṇā api। kṣatriyo na brahmaguṇo vaiśyaḥ kṛṣyādijīvanaḥ॥
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.
tata ūnaḥ śamādyaiḥ yaḥ śuśrūṣuḥ śūdra ucyate। adhikāśced guṇāḥ śūdre brāhmaṇādiḥ sa ucyate॥
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.
brāhmaṇo'pyalpaguṇakaḥ śūdra eveti kīrtitaḥ। naro'pi yo devaguṇo jñeyo devo nṛtāṃ gataḥ॥
A Brahmin with little virtue is indeed called a Shudra. A man who possesses divine qualities is known as a god among men.
iti ca।
- stated thus, as well.
"svakarmaṇā tamabhyarcya"
"Worship him by performing your own duties"
iti vacanācca kṣatriyādiṣvapi śamādyanuvṛttiḥ jñāyate। na hi śamādikaṃ vinā tasya abhito'rcanaṃ bhavati। samyak śamādibhiḥ arcanaṃ hi abhyarcanam। na hi śamādīn vinā siddhiṃ vindati।
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.
"yajñadānatapaḥ karma na tyājyam"
"Acts of sacrifice, charity, and austerity should never be given up"
ityuktatvācca।
- it is stated thus as well.
"śamomanniṣṭhatā buddheḥ dama indriyaniigrahaḥ"
"Calmness and steadfastness of the intellect, along with self-control and control of the senses, are essential virtues"
ity uktvā ca bhāgavate।
- stated thus in the Bhagavata Purana.
na ca kṣatriyādibhirapi śaucatapaḥśamādibhiḥ hīnaiḥ bhavitavyamiti tattaddharmeṣu ucyate।
It is stated that in various duties, even Kshatriyas and others should not be devoid of purity, austerity, and control.
yuktā hi etaiḥ sarvaiḥ rguṇaiḥ janakatulādhārādayaḥ। ato yuddhakāle apalāyanaṃ aiśvaryaṃ ca kṣatriyasya viśeṣaguṇau।
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.
tau ca, kṛṣyādayaḥ, jīvanārthaṃ śuśrūṣā, yājanaṃ, jīvanārthaṃ pratigrahaścetyeta eva anyeṣāṃ paradharmāḥ।
Agriculture and other activities, service for livelihood, sacrifices, acceptance for livelihood, and others are indeed the duties of others.
"śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ dānaṁ ca kṣatriyedhikāḥ। taddhīnā brāhmaṇe tasmād vaiśye śūdre tato'lpakāḥ॥
"Valor, brilliance, steadfastness, skill, and charity are qualities predominantly found in Kshatriyas, less so in Brahmins, even less in Vaishyas, and least in Shudras.
adhyāpanaṃ ca śuśrūṣā jīvanārthamṛte satām। viprādiṣu kramāt jñeyāḥ śūdrasyādhyāpanaṃ vinā॥
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.
tasmāt śūdro'lpaśuśrūṣuḥ svabhāvāt jīvanaṃ vinā। ete naisargikā bhāvāḥ syādbhāvo'nyopi kutracit। balād viruddhabhāvastu heyaḥ svābhāviko'pi yaḥ॥
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.
anisargopi hi śubho vardhanīyaḥ prayatnataḥ। yājanaiśvaryapūrvāstu nānyaiḥ kāryāḥ śubhā api। apalāyanaṃ ca śūdrāṇāṃ brahmakṣatrārthamiṣyate॥"
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."
iti ca।
- stated thus, as well.
