Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.2.23-24
Visarga· Brahmā's creationQualities and Work Determine Social Position
“Diṣṭa had a son by the name Nābhāga. This Nābhāga, who was different from the Nābhāga described later, became a vaiśya by occupational duty. The son of Nābhāga was known as Bhalandana, the son of Bhalandana was Vatsaprīti, and his son was Prāṁśu. Prāṁśu’s son was Pramati, Pramati’s son was Khanitra, Khanitra’s son was Cākṣuṣa, and his son was Viviṁśati.”
What the purport teaches
- Diṣṭa’s son Nābhāga became a vaiśya by occupational duty. He was different from the Nābhāga described later.
- Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas should never be regarded as castes determined by birth. A person’s position can change according to qualities and work.
- Society needs trained brāhmaṇas to guide people toward perfection in life. Therefore, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seeks to train brāhmaṇas to guide human society.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining why qualities and work, rather than birth, determine the positions described here.
Ask yourself
How does this teaching challenge the idea that birth fixes a person’s social position?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.