22 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 11

cows, whereas the sidras, who by quality never become bradhmanas,
ksatriyas or vaisyas, should serve the three higher classes and be
satisfied. Other means of livelihood are also prescribed for the
brahmanas, and these are four—Sdlina, ydydvara, sila, and ufichana.
Each of these occupational duties is successively better.

One who is in a lower grade of social life cannot accept the profession
of a higher class unless necessary. In times of emergency, all the classes
but the ksatriyas may accept professional duties of others. The means of
livelihood known as rta (Silorichana), amrta (aydcita), mrta (yacna),
pramrta (karsana), and satydnrta (vanijya) may be accepted by every-
one but the ksatriyas. For a brahmana or a ksatriya, engaging in the ser-
vice of the vaisyas or Siidras is considered the profession of dogs.

Narada Muni also described that the symptom of a brahmana is con-
trolled senses, the symptoms of a ksatriya are power and fame, the
symptom of a vaisya is service to the bréhmanas and ksatriyas, and the
symptom of a Sidra is service to the three higher classes. The qualifica-
tion for a woman is to be a very faithful and chaste wife. In this way,
Narada Muni described the characteristics of higher and lower grades of
people and recommended that one follow the principles of his caste or his
hereditary occupation. One cannot suddenly give up a profession to
which he is accustomed, and therefore it is recommended that one gradu-
ally be awakened. The symptoms of brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and
Stidras are very important, and therefore one should be designated only
by these symptoms, and not by birth. Designation by birth is strictly for-
bidden by Narada Muni and all great personalities.

TEXT 1

MIB TTF
aad = argeerenniad
ASTATIY SOSACAT: |
a
gfafaat ZervadarPaa:
TS WIT BIA Il ¢ ll
Sri-Suka uvaca
Srutvehitam sddhu sabhd-sabhajitam
mahattamagranya urukramatmanah
