1058
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[ Canto 4, Ch. 24 ]
PURPORT
The highest perfection of the evolutionary process, as described by the  Vaiṣṇava  poet  Jayadeva Gosvāmī , is given herein.  Pralaya-payodhi-jale dhṛtavān asi vedam . The evolutionary process begins from the point of devastation ( pralaya ) when the whole universe is filled with water. At that time there are many fishes and other aquatics, and from these aquatics evolve creepers, trees, etc. From these, insects and reptiles evolve, and from them birds, beasts, and then human beings. Finally civilized human beings evolve, and at present these civilized human beings are at a junction where they can make further evolutionary progress in spiritual life. Here it is stated ( sva-dharma-niṣṭhaḥ ) that when a living entity comes to a civilized form of life, there must be  sva-dharma , social divisions according to one's work and qualifications. This is indicated in  Bhagavad-gītā :
cātur-varṇyam mayā sṛṣṭam guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ
“According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me.” (Bg. 4.13)
In civilized human society there are the divisions of  brāhmaṇa ,  kṣatriya ,  vaiśya  and  śūdra , and everyone must properly execute his occupational duty in accordance to his division. Here it is described ( sva-dharma-niṣṭhaḥ ) that it doesn't matter whether one is a  brāhmaṇa ,  kṣatriya ,  vaiśya  or  śūdra . If one sticks to his position and properly executes his particular duty, he is considered a civilized human being. Otherwise he is no better than an animal. It is also mentioned herein that whoever executes his occupational duty ( sva-dharma ) for one hundred births (for instance, if a  brāhmaṇa  continues to act as a  brāhmaṇa ), becomes eligible for promotion to Brahmaloka, the planet where Lord Brahmā lives. There is also a planet called Śivaloka, or Sadāśivaloka, which is situated in a marginal position between the spiritual and material worlds. If, after being situated in Brahmaloka, one becomes more qualified, he is promoted to Sadāśivaloka. Similarly, when one becomes even more qualified, he can attain the  Vaikuṇṭhalokas . The  Vaikuṇṭhalokas  are targets for everyone, even the demigods, and they can be attained by a devotee who has no desire for material benefit. As indicated in  Bhagavad-gītā , one does not escape material miseries even if he is elevated to Brahmaloka.