“Agriculture, cattlerearing, and trade are the duties of Vaishyas, born of their nature; service is the duty of Shudras, born of their nature.”
Key Teaching: Vaishyas’ duties include agriculture and trade; Shudras’ duty is service.
Theme: Guidance, Dharma, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga.
Description:
Krishna states that Vaishyas’ duties involve agriculture, cattlerearing, and trade, while Shudras’ duty is service, both born of their nature. This verse, continuing 18.43, addresses Arjuna’s inquiry about renunciation and action (2.9, 13.1, 18.1). The themes of guidance, as Krishna outlines varna duties, dharma, as he supports rolebased duties, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, as he discusses action, Jnana Yoga, as he emphasizes wisdom, and Karma Yoga, as he underscores duty, are central.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna’s Kshatriya role (1.28–46) contrasts with societal roles like Vaishyas and Shudras, who support the social order. This teaching aligns with Karma Yoga (2.47), emphasizing selfless duty, and Jnana Yoga (14.5), linking duties to gunas. Krishna builds on varna teachings (18.41), showing how natural qualities shape societal roles.
Philosophically, this verse highlights that all duties, when performed selflessly, lead to liberation (3.19). It complements Arjuna’s Kshatriya path by contextualizing the broader social framework, reinforcing that every role contributes to dharma. The emphasis on service for Shudras underscores humility, a universal virtue (16.1–3).
Sanjaya’s narration frames Krishna’s words objectively, emphasizing their societal clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s roles, where every duty, performed selflessly, elevates. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers to embrace their roles with divine purpose, aligning with liberation.
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