Chapter 18 Shloka 44

कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्।

परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम्।।४४।।

Farming, cow rearing and trade

are the natural activities of a Vaishya

and the natural activity of a Shudra

is the service of all.

Chapter 18 Shloka 44

कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्।

परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम्।।४४।।

The Lord now describes the natural actions of the Shudras and the Vaishyas. He says:

Farming, cow rearing and trade are the natural activities of a Vaishya and the natural activity of a Shudra is the service of all.

Little one, the Lord now explains the activities of the Vaishyas and the Shudras, which stem from their natural dispositions.

The activities of a Vaishya

1. Grows grain for the whole world.

2. Produces physical comforts for all.

3. Produces medicines to keep the body strong and healthy.

4. Participates in industrial progress.

5. Does business.

6. Transports varied consumer items from one country to another.

7. To sell at a profit is his natural acumen.

8. Business men belong to the class of Vaishyas.

The Lord then specifies that this class of people also rear and protect the ‘gau’.

Gau (गौ)

The widely prevalent meaning of the word gau is a cow. However, this word has many other connotations. Gau also means:

a) heaven,

b) earth,

c) the Goddess Saraswati,

d) mother,

e) speech,

f) Lord Indra’s thunderbolt,

g) a ray of light,

h) an arrow – a weapon.

Little one, understand from this that the natural dharmaof a Vaishya is not only to nurture his own family but to nourish and sustain all beings.

Vanijya (वाणिज्य) – Commerce

1. Trade,

2. Buying and selling,

3. To measure out,

4. Whatever is traded in the world, comes under the sphere of vanijya.

This natural tendency to earn wealth and nourish and sustain all with that wealth is innate in the Vaishya class.

Little one, one must remember, this class comprises of:

a) those who earn wealth and protect the Brahmins who lay the foundations of dharma;

b) those who endow wealth even upon the Kshatriyas who protect all;

c) those who give wealth even to the Shudras.

The Shudras

The natural tendency of the Shudras is:

a) to serve others;

b) to attend on others;

c) to make provision for the entertainment of others;

d) to follow others;

e) to aid in the fulfilment of others’ dreams;

f) to protect the physical being of the other;

g) to serve the sick;

h) to be of help to people of every class and community.

These Shudras are helpful in the programmes of every community and aid them in their every task.

Little one, actually each one possesses all these attributes. Individually everyone possesses some proportion of the tendencies of the four classes.

1. Each individual should be akin to a Brahmin intellectually.

2. Each individual should be akin to aKshatriya where the protection of his family is concerned.

3. Each individual is a Vaishya inasmuch as he earns for the sustenance of those who depend on him.

4. Each being is a Shudra insofar as he serves his kith and kin.

The dharma of the varied classes

1. On a universal scale, the Pandits, who are the creators of the constitution, should be uninfluenceable and free from the constant concern and greed for wealth to sustain their daily life.

2. The Kshatriyas should be the protectors of the nation and of the constitution and should not involve themselves in politics.

3. The Vaishyas – the business community should remain disengaged from matters concerning politics and the protection of the constitution.

4. The Shudras should be ever ready to serve all the other communities.

If true Brahmins draw up the constitution, that constitution will apply to all. They will make such laws:

a) which will protect all;

b) which will provide food and grain for all;

c) which will ensure that all receive the necessities of life.

They will be devoid of greed; justice will predominate in all their decisions. They will possess the state of a sthit pragya. They will not be swayed by desire and self interest. Their job will be to make the laws that will govern all beings.

The true Kshatriya will engage himself in the protection of the constitution. The police service and the army constitute the Kshatriyas. The administrative officers who protect the constitution also belong to this category.

The Shudras should be servitors of all and aid the culmination of each one’s tasks. The Vaishyas should be entrusted with the task of sustenance and nourishment of the aforesaid communities with their earned and accumulated wealth. The protection of the Vaishyas lies in the progress and well being of the other communities. They too, need the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas for their protection and security. They need the Shudras for success in their activities.

1. Therefore they have to share their wealth.

2. Therefore they must provide for the welfare of the other communities and classes.

All these classes are imperative for a smoothly running society. These four communities are to be found in every corner of the world – no matter what they are called. The Lord says here that the world is comprised of four sections:

1. The law makers;

2. Those who provide for ruling the land and who are the protectors of all;

3. Those who manage the economic organisation of the society;

4. The workers.

The beneficial interaction of these four communities and the correct use of their respective attributes can yield happiness to society; the same attributes, if misused, lead the society into regression and decline.