Text 22]
The Dynasty of Bharata
137
ajamīḍhaḥ —Ajamīḍha;  dvimīḍhaḥ —Dvimīḍha;  ca —also;  purumīḍhaḥ —Purumīḍha;  ca —also;  hastinaḥ —became the sons of Hastī;  ajamīḍhasya —of Ajamīḍha;  vaṁśyāḥ —descendants;  syuḥ —are;  priyamedha-ādayaḥ —headed by Priyamedha;  dvijāḥ — brāhmaṇas .
TRANSLATION
From King Hastī came three sons, named Ajamīḍha, Dvimīḍha and Purumīḍha. The descendants of Ajamīḍha, headed by Priyamedha, all achieved the position of  brāhmaṇas .
PURPORT
This verse gives evidence confirming the statement of  Bhagavad-gītā  that the orders of society— brāhmaṇa ,  kṣatriya ,  vaiśya  and  śūdra —are calculated in terms of qualities and activities ( guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ ). All the descendants of Ajamīḍha, who was a  kṣatriya , became  brāhmaṇas . This was certainly because of their qualities and activities. Similarly, sometimes the sons of  brāhmaṇas  or  kṣatriyas  became  vaiśyas  ( brāhmaṇā vaiśyatāṁ gatāḥ ). When a  kṣatriya  or  brāhmaṇa  adopts the occupation or duty of a  vaiśya  ( kṛṣi-gorakṣya-vāṇiyyam ), he is certainly counted as a  vaiśya . On the other hand, if one is born a  vaiśya , by his activities he can become a  brāhmaṇa . This is confirmed by Nārada Muni.  Yasya yal-lakṣaṇaṁ proktam . The members of the  varṇas , or social orders— brāhmaṇa ,  kṣatriya ,  vaiśya  and  śūdra —must be ascertained by their symptoms, not by birth. Birth is immaterial; quality is essential.
TEXT 22
अजमीढाद् बृहदिषुस्तस्य पुत्रो बृहद्धनुः ।
बृहत्कायस्ततस्तस्य पुत्र आसीज्जयद्रथः ॥२२॥
ajamīḍhād bṛhadiṣus tasya putro bṛhaddhanuḥ bṛhatkāyas tatas tasya putra āsīj jayadrathaḥ