2011-06-02
Srimad Bhagavatam 09.21.19-21 - Birth Immaterial Quality Essential (download mp3)
by Vrajavasi Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
Srimad Bhagavatam 09.21.19-21 - Birth Immaterial Quality Essential (download mp3)
by Vrajavasi Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net
SB 9.21.19-20
gargac chinis tato gargyah
ksatrad brahma hy avartata
duritaksayo mahaviryat
tasya trayyarunih kavih
puskararunir ity atra
ye brahmana-gatim gatah
brhatksatrasya putro 'bhud
dhasti yad-dhastinapuram
Translation:
From Garga came a son named Sini, and his son was Gargya. Although Gargya was a ksatriya, there came from him a generation of brahmanas. From Mahavirya came a son named Duritaksaya, whose sons were Trayyaruni, Kavi and Puskararuni. Although these sons of Duritaksaya took birth in a dynasty of ksatriyas, they too attained the position of brahmanas. Brhatksatra had a son named Hasti, who established the city of Hastinapura [now New Delhi].
SB 9.21.21
ajamidho dvimidhas ca
purumidhas ca hastinah
ajamidhasya vamsyah syuh
priyamedhadayo dvijah
Translation:
From King Hasti came three sons, named Ajamidha, Dvimidha and Purumidha. The descendants of Ajamidha, headed by Priyamedha, all achieved the position of brahmanas.
Purport:
This verse gives evidence confirming the statement of Bhagavad-gita that the orders of society brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra are calculated in terms of qualities and activities (guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]). All the descendants of Ajamidha, who was a ksatriya, became brahmanas. This was certainly because of their qualities and activities. Similarly, sometimes the sons of brahmanas or ksatriyas become vaisyas (brahmana-vaisyatam gatah). When a ksatriya or brahmana adopts the occupation or duty of a vaisya (krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam [Bg. 18.44]), he is certainly counted as a vaisya. On the other hand, if one is born a vaisya, by his activities he can become a brahmana. This is confirmed by Narada Muni. Yasya yal-laksanam proktam (SB 7.11.35). The members of the varnas, or social orders-brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra-must be ascertained by their symptoms, not by birth. Birth is immaterial; quality is essential.
