1310 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 30

classifications of castes, or varnas, according to quality and work. Apart
from Bhagavad-gita, in every society a man is known according to his qual-
ity and work. For example, when a man is constructing wooden furniture,
he is called a carpenter, and a man who works with an anvil and iron is
called a blacksmith. Similarly, a man who is engaged in the medical or en-
gineering fields has a particular duty and designation. All these human
activities have been divided by the Supreme Lord into four varnas, namely
brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra. In Bhagavad-gita and in other Vedic
literatures, the specific duties of the brahmana, ksatriya, vaigya and sudra
are mentioned.

One should work honestly according to his qualification. He should not
earn his livelihood unfairly, by means for which he is not qualified. If a
brahmana who works as a priest so that he may enlighten his followers
with the spiritual way of life is not qualified as a priest, then he is cheating
the public. One should not earn by such unfair means. The same is appli-
cable to a ksatriya or to a vaisya. It is especially mentioned that the means
of livelihood of those who are trying to advance in Krsna consciousness
must be very fair and uncomplicated. Here it is mentioned that he who
earns his livelihood by unfair means (kevalena) is sent to the darkest hellish
region. Otherwise, if one maintains his family by prescribed methods and
honest means, there is no objection to one’s being a family man.

TEXT 34

ATAKAKA BWadaaaney |
RAT: ART TAcAeets: (39H!

adhastan nara-lokasya
yavatir yatanddayah

kramasah samanukramya
punar atravrajec chucith

adhastat—from below; nara-lokasya—human birth; yavatih—as many;
yatana—punishments; a@dayah—and so on; kramasah—in a regular order;
samanukramya—having gone through; punah—again; atra—here, on this
earth; a@vrajet—he may return; sucih—pure.

TRANSLATION

Having gone through all the miserable hellish conditions and having
passed in a regular order through the lowest forms of animal life prior to
