52 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 11
caste, however, marries a man of a higher caste, their union is called
anulo. The members of such dynasties have their traditional duties as
barbers, washermen and so on. Among the antyajas, those who are still
somewhat pure in that they do not steal and are not addicted to meat-
eating, drinking, illicit sex and gambling are called antevasdyi. Among
people of the lower classes, intermarriage and the drinking of wine are
allowed, for these people do not recognize such conduct as sinful among
themselves.
TEXT 31
aa: aarataten sat TAT ay gy |
Recht: Cat Tae Fe a TET URI
prayah sva-bhdava-vihito
nmdm dharmo yuge yuge
veda-drgbhih smrto rdjan
pretya ceha ca Sarma-krt

prayah—generally; sva-bhdva-vihitah—prescribed, according to
one’s material modes of nature; nrndm—of human society; dharmah—
the occupational duty; yuge yuge—in every age; veda-drgbhih—by
brahmanas well conversant in the Vedic knowledge; smrtah—recog-
nized; rajan—O King; pretya —after death; ca—and; iha—here (in this
body); ca—also; Sarma-krt —auspicious.

TRANSLATION

My dear King, brahmanas well conversant in Vedic knowledge
have given their verdict that in every age [yuga] the conduct of
different sections of people according to their material modes of
nature is auspicious both in this life and after death.

PURPORT

In Bhagavad-gita (3.35) it is said, sreydn sva-dharmo vigunah para-
dharmat svanusthitat: “It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed
duties, even though they may be faulty, than another’s duties.” The
antyajas, the men of the lower classes, are accustomed to stealing, drink-
ing and illicit sex, but that is not considered sinful. For example, if a
