Eternal duty of dharma

 

the eternal duties of dharma. The Supreme Lord said: 'This question of yours is one faithful to the dharma, it leads man to beatitude. Please, Uddhava, learn from Me about these forms of good [varnâs'rama] conduct concerning the societal status [âs'rama] and vocation [varna]. In the beginning in Satya-yuga there was [only] one class of human beings and they were called hamsa [swan]. The citizens of that age were by birth well known with the duties to be performed - hence the scholars know that age as Krita-yuga, the age of the fulfillment of duty.  One during that time with the Pranava gave expression to the [not in four divided] Veda, knowing Me to be the duty in the form of the bull of religion Fixed in austerity and free from sins, one worshiped Me as Lord Hamsa. At the beginning of Tretâ-yuga, oh greatly fortunate one, in My heart from the prânâ the threefold of knowing [the three Vedas Rig, Sâma and Yajur] originated whereby I appeared in the three forms of sacrifice [hence the name Tretâ, From the Original Personality the intellectuals, the rulers, the merchants and the laborers [the varnas] generated whose personal activities can be recognized as [respectively] those from the mouth, the arms, the thighs and feet [legs] of the universal form The celibate students came from My heart, the householders are from My loins, from My chest the ones [of retreat] living in the forest found their existence and the renounced order of life is found in My head The usual natures of the people of  the different societal classes [varnas] and status groups [âs'ramas] evolved according to the situation of their birth [in My body]: in a low position inferior natures evolved and in a high position superior natures developed. Equanimity, sense-control, austerity, cleanliness, contentment, forgiveness, sincerity, devotion to Me, compassion and truthfulness are the natural qualities of the brahmins   Ardor, physical strength, determination, heroism, tolerance, generosity, endeavor, steadiness, being mindful of the brahminical culture and leadership are the natural qualities of the kshatriyas [My arms, compare Faith, dedication to charity, straightforwardness, service to the brahmins and always engaged in the accumulation of money, constitute the natural qualities of the vais'yas [My thighs, Free from deceit being obedient towards the twice-born souls [the three higher varnas], of service for both the cows and the divine personalities as also being perfectly contented with the reward thus acquired, are the natural qualities of the s'ûdras [His feet or legs, To be unclean, deceitful, thievish, faithless, quarrelsome, lusty, fiery and of constant hankering, constitutes the nature of those who occupy the lowest position [the outcasts]. It is the duty of all members of society to be of nonviolence, truthfulness and honesty, to be free from lust, anger and greed and to desire the welfare and happiness of all living entities