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Bhagavad Gita Bhasya (Gambhirananada)

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18.44 The natural duties of the Vaisyas are<br />

agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade. Of the Sudras,<br />

too, the natural duty is in the form of service.<br />

English Translation of Sri Sankaracharya's Sanskrit<br />

Commentary - Swami Gambhirananda<br />

18.44 Svabyavajam, the natural; vaisya-karma,<br />

duties of the Vaisyas, of the Vaisya caste; are krsigauraksyavanijyam,<br />

agriculture, cattle rearing and<br />

trade: Krsi is tilling of land. Orre who rears cattle<br />

(go) is goraksa; the abstract form of that word is<br />

gauraksyam, animal-husbandry. Vanijyam means<br />

the occupation of a trader, consisting of buying<br />

and selling. Sudrasya, of the Sudra; api, too;<br />

svabhavajam, the natural; karma, duty; is<br />

paricaryatmakam, in the form of service. When<br />

rightly pursued, the natural result of these duties<br />

enjoined for the castes is the attainment of heavenwhich<br />

act is evident from such Smrti texts as,<br />

'People belonging to the castes and stages of life,<br />

who are true to their own duties, experience after<br />

death the fruit of their actions. And after that, as a<br />

result of the remnants of their merits they are born<br />

in some excellent region, caste and family, with<br />

greater piety, longevity, learning, conduct, wealth,<br />

743

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