Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.44 कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम्
श्लोक 18.44
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् ।
परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम् ॥
kṛṣigaurakṣyavāṇijyaṃ vaiśyakarma svabhāvajam |
paricaryātmakaṃ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāvajam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
खेती, गौ-पालन और व्यापार वैश्य के स्वाभाविक कर्म हैं, और सेवा रूपी कर्म शूद्र का स्वाभाविक कर्म है।
Meaning in English
Farming, protecting cattle and trade are the natural duties of a Vaishya, and work in the form of service is the natural duty of a Shudra.
Bhagavad Gita 18.44 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यम् | kṛṣi-gaurakṣya-vāṇijyam | farming, cattle-keeping and trade |
| वैश्यकर्म | vaiśya-karma | the work of a vaishya |
| स्वभावजम् | svabhāva-jam | born of nature |
| परिचर्यात्मकम् | paricaryā-ātmakam | consisting of service |
| कर्म | karma | work |
| शूद्रस्य | śūdrasya | of a shudra |
| अपि | api | also |
| स्वभावजम् | svabhāva-jam | born of nature |
Explanation
Farming, protecting cattle and trade are the natural work of a vaishya; work that consists of service and support is likewise the natural work of a shudra. Each arises from the person's own nature, and together with the duties already named, they sustain the whole life of society.
With this verse the four-fold list is complete. The next verses (18.45-46) immediately add that perfection is reached by devotion to one's own work, and that such work offered to the Lord is worship, which many readers take as the key to the whole passage: no kind of work is spiritually lower. Shankara and Ramanuja treat the verses as describing the duties of their time. Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave emphasised the dignity of physical labour and service, holding that the farmer, the trader and the worker reach the same goal as the scholar.
भावार्थ
खेती करना, गायों का पालन-रक्षण और व्यापार — ये वैश्य के स्वभाव से उत्पन्न स्वाभाविक कर्म हैं। इसी प्रकार सबकी सेवा और सहायता करना शूद्र का स्वभाव से उत्पन्न स्वाभाविक कर्म है।
Living it today
Respect every kind of work — growing food, running a business, caring for others — as equally valuable to the world and equally a path to growth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.44?
Farming, protecting cattle and trade are the natural work of a vaishya; work that consists of service and support is likewise the natural work of a shudra. Each arises from the person's own nature, and together with the duties already named, they sustain the whole life of society.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.44?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.44 in daily life?
Respect every kind of work — growing food, running a business, caring for others — as equally valuable to the world and equally a path to growth.
Reflected on verse 18.44?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.