Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 9: Liberation | Chapter 21: The Dynasty of Bharata; |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 9.21.21
ajamidho dvimidhas ca
priyamedhadayo dvijah
SYNONYMS
ajamidhah -- Ajamidha; dvimidhah -- Dvimidha; ca -- also; purumidhah -- Purumidha; ca -- also; hastinah -- became the sons of Hasti; ajamidhasya -- of Ajamidha; vamsyah -- descendants; syuh -- are; priyamedha-adayah -- headed by Priyamedha; dvijah -- brahmanas.
TRANSLATION
From King Hasti came three sons, named Ajamidha, Dvimidha and Purumidha. The descendants of Ajamidha, headed by Priyamedha, all achieved the position of brahmanas.
PURPORT
This verse gives evidence confirming the statement of Bhagavad-gita that the orders of society -- brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya and sudra -- are calculated in terms of qualities and activities (guna-karma-vibhagasah). All the descendants of Ajamidha, who was a kshatriya, became brahmanas. This was certainly because of their qualities and activities. Similarly, sometimes the sons of brahmanas or kshatriyas become vaisyas (brahmana-vaisyatam gatah). When a kshatriya or brahmana adopts the occupation or duty of a vaisya (krishi-go-rakshya-vanijyam [Bg. 18.44]), he is certainly counted as a vaisya. On the other hand, if one is born a vaisya, by his activities he can become a brahmana. This is confirmed by Narada Muni. Yasya yal-lakshanam proktam. The members of the varnas, or social orders -- brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya and sudra -- must be ascertained by their symptoms, not by birth. Birth is immaterial; quality is essential.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness