Text 26]
Bhīṣma's Passing Away
471
today never visits the warfield. He is very much expert in artificially encouraging the fighting strength in the hope of false national prestige. As soon as the administrative class is turned into a gang of mercantile and laborer men, the whole machinery of government becomes polluted.
The  vaiśyas  or the mercantile communities are especially advised to protect the cows. Cow protection means increasing the milk productions, namely curd and butter. Agriculture and distribution of the foodstuff are the primary duties of the mercantile community backed by education in Vedic knowledge and trained to give in charity. As the  kṣatriyas  were given charge of the protection of the citizens,  vaiśyas  were given the charge of the protection of animals. Animals are never meant to be killed. Killing of animals is a symptom of barbarian society. For a human being, agricultural produce, fruits and milk are sufficient and compatible foodstuffs. The human society should give more attention to animal protection. The productive energy of the laborer is misused when he is occupied by industrial enterprises. Industry of various types cannot produce the essential needs of man, namely rice, wheat, grains, milk, fruits and vegetables. The production of machines and machine tools increases the artificial living fashion of a class of vested interests and keeps thousands of men in starvation and unrest. This should not be the standard of civilization.
The  śūdra  class is less intelligent, and they have no independence. They are meant for rendering sincere service to the three higher sections of the society. The  śūdra  class can attain all comforts of life simply by rendering service to the higher classes. It is especially enjoined that a  śūdra  should never bank money. As soon as the  śūdras  accumulate wealth, it will be misused for sinful activities in wine, women and gambling.  Wine, women and gambling indicate that the population is degraded into less than śūdra quality.  The higher castes should always look after the maintenance of the  śūdras , and they should provide them with old and used garments. A  śūdra  should not leave his master when the master is old and invalid, and the master should keep the servants satisfied in all respects. The  śūdras  must first of all be satisfied by sumptuous food and clothing before any sacrifice is performed. In this age so many functions are held by spending millions,  but the poor laborer is not sumptuously fed or given charity, clothing, etc.  The laborers are thus dissatisfied, and so they make agitation.
The  varṇas  are, so to speak, classifications of different occupations, and  āśrama-dharma  is gradual progress on the path of self-realization. Both are interrelated, and one is dependent on the other. The main purpose of  āśrama-dharma  is to awaken knowledge and detachment. The  brahmacārī   āśrama  is the training ground for the prospective candidates. In this