Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.44
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् । परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ॥४४॥
kṛṣigaurakṣyavāṇijyaṃ vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam | paricaryātmakaṃ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam ||44||
Complete Shloka Translation
Agriculture, cattle protection and trade are vaishya work born of nature; work characterized by service is likewise the shudra's natural work.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कृषि | kṛṣi | agriculture |
| परिचर्या | paricaryā | service |
| कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं | kṛṣigaurakṣyavāṇijyaṃ | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
| वैश्यकर्म | vaiśyakarma | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
| स्वभावजम् | svabhāvajam | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
| परिचर्यात्मकं | paricaryātmakaṃ | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
| कर्म | karma | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
| शूद्रस्यापि | śūdrasyāpi | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
| ४४ | svabhāvajam | [term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection... |
agriculture
service
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
[term] in context of Agriculture, cattle protection...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
These are traditional economic and service roles. Describing them does not establish hereditary inferiority or justify exclusion from opportunity.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"How can you honor the work that sustains a community?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can you honor the work that sustains a community?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.