Gita 18.44
Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् । परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ॥
kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam
In essence: Agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade are the vaishya's natural work; service is the shudra's natural calling—each arising from inherent disposition.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "This seems to place shudras at the bottom. Isn't this hierarchy?"
Guru: "Only in corrupt interpretation. Notice: Krishna says 'svabhāva-jam' for EACH varna—all arise from natural disposition. He does not say shudra nature is inferior, only different. Service is as necessary and dignified as teaching or fighting or trading. The hierarchy came later when society forgot that each varna is an essential organ of the social body."
Sadhak: "But historically, shudras were oppressed..."
Guru: "Yes, and that is the tragedy of distorting this teaching. When varna became birth-based, when service became forced servitude, when hierarchy replaced complementarity—then oppression arose. Krishna's teaching is the opposite: find your natural orientation and express it as dharma. A natural server who serves with devotion is as dear to God as a brahmana who teaches with wisdom."
Sadhak: "What makes someone a 'natural server'?"
Guru: "Genuine satisfaction in supporting others' work, in maintaining what exists, in enabling success for others. Some people are naturally helpers—they don't want to lead or fight or trade; they want to support, assist, make things work. This is a beautiful quality. Every great enterprise needs those who reliably perform essential tasks. The shudra orientation, when honored, is the backbone of society."
Sadhak: "And the vaishya qualities?"
Guru: "Natural attraction to productive work, commerce, and wealth creation. The vaishya sees opportunity, enjoys building, takes satisfaction in trade and prosperity. This orientation creates the material abundance society needs. Farmers, merchants, entrepreneurs—they feed, clothe, and supply society. Without them, even brahmanas would starve and kshatriyas would lack supplies."
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Honestly assess: 'Do I naturally gravitate toward creating value through productive work (vaishya) or toward supporting and serving others' work (shudra)?' Both are valid; neither is inferior. Understanding your orientation helps you find appropriate work.
Whatever your work, notice: are you creating or serving? If creating (vaishya work), do it ethically, with care for those affected. If serving (shudra work), do it with full attention and devotion. Both become spiritual practice when done as dharma.
Reflect: 'Did my work today create value or provide service? Did I do it with integrity and care? Did I honor my natural orientation or fight against it?' Understanding your authentic calling is the path to fulfillment.