1058 Stimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 24

PURPORT

The highest perfection of the evolutionary process, as described by the
Vaisnava poet Jayadeva Gosvami, is given herein. Pralaya-payodhi-jale
dhrtavan 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-nisthah) 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-gita:

catur-varnyam maya srstam
guna-karma-vibhagasah

“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 brahmana, ksatriya,
vaisya and sudra, and everyone must properly execute his occupational
duty in accordance to his division. Here it is described (sva-dharma-nisthah)
that it doesn’t matter whether one is a brahmana, ksatriya, vaigya or sidra.
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 brahmana
continues to act as a brahmana), becomes eligible for promotion to
Brahmaloka, the planet where Lord Brahma lives. There is also a planet
called Sivaloka, or Sadaéivaloka, 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 Sadasivaloka.
Similarly, when one becomes even more qualified, he can attain the
Vaikunthalokas. The Vaikunthalokas 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-gita, one does not escape mate-
rial miseries even if he is elevated to Brahmaloka.
