1244 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 29

PURPORT

One has to execute his prescribed duties according to his social position
as a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sitdra. The prescribed duties of the four
classes of men in human society are also described in Bhagavad-gita. The
activities of brahmanas are to control the senses and to become simple,
clean, learned devotees. The ksatriyas have the spirit for ruling, they are
not afraid on the battlefield, and they are charitable. The vaisyas, or the
mercantile class of men, trade in commodities, protect cows and develop
agricultural produce. The sidras, or laborer class, serve the higher classes
because they themselves are not very intelligent.

From every position, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gild, sva-karmana
tam abhyarcya: one can serve the Supreme Lord by performing his pre
scribed duty. It is not that only the brahmanas can serve the Supreme Lord
and not the sitdras. Anyone can serve the Supreme Lord by performing his
prescribed duties under the direction of a spiritual master or representative
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one should think that his
prescribed duties are inferior. A braéhmana can serve the Lord by using his
intelligence, and the ksatriya can serve the Supreme Lord by using his
military arts, just as Arjuna served Krsna. Arjuna was a warrior; he had no
time to study Vedanta, or other highly intellectual books. The damsels in
Vrajadhdma were girls born of the vaisya class, and they engaged in
protecting cows and producing agriculture. Krsna’s foster father, Nanda
Maharaja, and his associates were all vaisyas. They were not at all educated,
but they could serve Krsna by loving Him and by offering everything to
Him. Similarly, there are many instances in which candalas, or those
lower than siidras, have served Krsna. Also, the sage Vidura was considered
a Sidra because his mother happened to be siidra. There are no distinctions,
for it is declared by the Lord in Bhagavad-gita that anyone engaged
specifically in devotional service is elevated to the transcendental position
without a doubt. Everyone’s prescribed duty is glorious if it is performed
in devotional service of the Lord, without desire for profit. Such loving
service must be performed without reason, without impediment and
spontaneously. Krsna is lovable, and one has to serve Him in whatever
capacity he can. That is pure devotional service.

Another significant phrase in this verse is ndtihimsrena (with minimum
violence or sacrifice of life). Even if a devotee has to commit violence, it
should not be done beyond what is necessary. Sometimes the question is
put before us: “You ask us not to eat meat, but you are eating vegetables.
Do you think that is not violence?” The answer is that eating vegetables is
violence and vegetarians are also committing violence against other living
