Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.17.15

varnānām āśramānām ca

janma-bhūmy-anusārinīh

āsan prakritayo nrinām

nīcair nīcottamottamāh

SYNONYMS

varnānām — of the occupational divisions; āśramānām — of the social divisions; ca — also; janma — of birth; bhūmi — the situation; anusārinīh — according to; āsan — appeared; prakritayah — the natures; nrinām — of human beings; nīcaih — by inferior background; nīca — inferior nature; uttama — by superior background; uttamāh — superior natures.

TRANSLATION

The various occupational and social divisions of human society appeared according to inferior and superior natures manifest in the situation of the individual's birth.

PURPORT

According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Thākura, the brāhmanas and sannyāsīs, being situated on the head of the universal form of the Lord, are considered to be the most qualified, whereas the śūdras and grihasthas, being on the legs or loins of the Personality of Godhead, are considered to be in the lowest position. A living entity is born with a certain amount of intelligence, beauty and social opportunity, and he is therefore situated in a particular occupational and social position within the varnāśrama system. Ultimately, such positions are external designations, but since the majority of human beings are conditioned by the external energy of the Lord, they should act according to the scientific varnāśrama divisions until they reach the stage of jīvan-mukta, or liberated life.

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