०९ वर्णकर्माणि

With a view to the protection of this entire creation, the Resplendent One ordained the distinct functions of those who sprang from the mouth, the arms, the thighs and the feet—(86).

उक्तः कालविभागः । ब्राह्मणादीनां गुणा इदानीं कथ्यन्ते । तत्रायम् उपक्रमः । सर्वस्य सर्गस्य सर्वेषां लोकानां गुप्त्यर्थं रक्षार्थं महातेजाः प्रजापतिः मुखादिजातानां ब्राह्मणादीनां चतुर्णां वर्णानां दृष्टादृष्टार्थानि कर्माण्य् अकल्पयद् व्यवस्थापितवान् ॥ १.८७ ॥

तानीदानीं कर्माण्य् उच्यन्ते ॥ १.८८ ॥

The divisions of time have been described. The qualifications of the Brāhmaṇa and the other people are now described; and the present verse serves as an introduction to that subject.

‘Of this entire creation,’—i.e., of all beings,—‘with a view to the protection’—for the purpose of their safety;—the Resplendent One, Prajāpati,—‘ordained,’—distributed—‘the functions,’—i.e., actions, leading to perceptible as well as imperceptible results,—of the Brāhmaṇa and other castes, that sprang from his mouth and other limbs. (87).

087 But in order to protect this universe He, the most resplendent one, assigned separate (duties and) occupations to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet.

For the Brāhmaṇas he ordained teaching, studying, sacrificing and officiating at sacrifices, as also the giving and accepting of gifts. (88).

प्रजानां रक्षणं दानम् इज्याध्ययनम् एव च ।

The said ‘functions’ are now described. (88).

088 To Brahmanas he assigned teaching and studying (the Veda), sacrificing for their own benefit and for others, giving and accepting (of alms).

For the Kṣatriya he ordained protecting of the people, giving of gifts, sacrificing and studying, as also abstaining prom being addicted to the objects of sense. (89).

विषया अभिलाषजनका¹ गीतशब्दादयो भावा उच्यन्ते । तत्राप्रसङ्गः पुनः पुनर् असेवनम् ॥ १.८९ ॥

What are referred to here are such things as Musical Sounds and the like which tend to give rise (in the minds of men) to a longing for the objects of sensual enjoyment; and the ‘abstaining from being addicted to them’ means not being attached to them; that is, not to have recourse to them frequently. (89).

This verse is quoted in the Vīramitrodaya—Paribhāṣā, p. 45, which reads ‘saktim’, and explains ‘viṣayeṣu aprasaktim’ as ‘control, of the senses;’ and in the Nṛsiṃhaprasāda, Saṃskāra, p. 73b.

089 The Kshatriya he commanded to protect the people, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), and to abstain from attaching himself to sensual pleasures;

For the Vaiśya, tending of cattle, giving of gifts, sacrificing and studying; as also trade, money-lending and cultivating of land. (90).

वनिक्पथः वणिक्कर्मणा स्थलपथवारिपथादिना धनार्जनम् । उपयुज्यमानदेशान्तरीयद्रव्यसंनिधापनं यस्य राज्ञो विषये वसति । कुसीदं वृद्ध्या धनप्रयोगः ॥ १.९० ॥

‘Trade,’—i.e., the acquiring of wealth by carrying on trade, on land and on water, and the importing of useful goods from foreign countries into the state of that king in whose kingdom he lives.

‘Money-lending’—giving out money on interest. (90).

This verse is quoted in Parāśara-mādhava (Ācāra, p. 416), in support of Parāśara, verse 63;—and in the Vīramitrodaya—Paribhāṣā (p. 45), which explains ‘Vaṇikpatham’ as ‘trade’ and ‘Kusīdam’ as ‘lending money on interest’.

090 The Vaisya to tend cattle, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), to trade, to lend money, and to cultivate land.

For the Śūdra the Lord ordained only one function: the ungrudging service of the said castes. (91).

प्रभुः प्रजापतिर् एकं कर्म शूद्रस्यादिष्टवान् । एतेषां ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियवैश्यानां सुश्रूषा त्वया कर्तव्या । अनसूयया अनिन्दया । चित्तेनापि तद् उपरि विषादो न कर्तव्यः । शुश्रूषा परिचर्या तदुपयोगिकर्मकरणं शरीरसंवाहनादि तच्चित्तानुपालनम् । एतद् दृष्टार्थं शूद्रस्य । अविधायकत्वाच् च्ऐकमेव्एति न दानादयो निषिध्यन्ते । विधिर् एषां कर्मणाम् उत्तरत्र भविष्यति । अतः स्वरूपं विभागेन यागादीनां तत्रैव दर्शयिष्यामः ॥ १.९१ ॥

‘The Lord’, Prajāpati, ordained ‘one function, for the Śūdra’; [in the form]—‘Thou shalt perform the ‘service of the said castes,’—i.e., of the Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya and Vaiśya;—‘Ungrudging’—i.e., without complaining; no resentment should be felt even in the mind.

‘Service’ stands for attending; i.e., doing of acts conducive to their convenience; such as massage of the body, and the obeying of wishes.

What is mentioned here is only such function of the Śūdra as leads to visible results (in the shape of livelihood); and in as much as the phrase ‘one only’ is not injunctive, it does not preclude the giving of gifts (and such other acts, leading to invisible results); specially as we shall find later on the actual injunction of these acts (for the Śūdra also). And it will be on that occasion that we shall set forth the classification of sacrifices and other acts (as to which of these should be done by which castes, and so forth). (91).

This verse is quoted in the Vīramitrodaya — Paribhāṣā, p. 45;—and in the Varṣakriyākaumudī (p. 568), which explains ‘Prabhuḥ,’ ‘as Brahmā,’ and ‘Anasūyayā’ as ‘without dishonesty.’

091 One occupation only the lord prescribed to the Sudra, to serve meekly even these (other) three castes.