Right Livelihood

[Guest guest]

> Good ksatriyas need to be carefully trained that although

> > varnasrama contains some elements found in capitalism and some found in

> > communism -- actually it is neither capitalist nor communist in the

ultimate

> > analysis, since the ultimate goal of both systems is the same: increased

> > sense gratification made possible by centralized production.

> >

>

> I've flinched so many times hearing this sort of talk from devotees.

> Laissez-faire capitalism as part of the Vedic system. Not only are cows being

> slaughtered indiscriminately, but Bhumi mata Herself is under

life-threatening

> conditions due to the unfettered industrialism that goes on in the name of

> economic development.

 

TRANSLATION

Therefore a person who is very eager to maintain his family and kinsmen simply

by

black methods certainly goes to the darkest region of hell, which is known as

Andha-tamisra.

PURPORT

Three words in this verse are very significant. Kevalena means "only by black

methods," adharmena means "unrighteous" or "irreligious," and kutumba-bharana

means "family maintenance." Maintaining one's family is certainly the duty of a

householder, but one should be eager to earn his livelihood by the prescribed

method, as stated in the scriptures. In Bhagavad-gita it is described that the

Lord has divided the social system into four classifications of castes, or

varnas,

according to quality and work. Apart from Bhagavad-gita, in every society a man

is

known according to his quality and work. For example, when a man is

constructing

wooden furniture, he is called a carpenter, and a man who works with an anvil

and

iron is called a blacksmith. Similarly, a man who is engaged in the medical or

engineering fields has a particular duty and designation. All these human

activities have been divided by the Supreme Lord into four varnas, namely

brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra. In Bhagavad-gita and in other Vedic

literatures, the specific duties of the brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra

are

mentioned.

One should work honestly according to his qualification. He should not earn his

livelihood unfairly, by means for which he is not qualified. If a brahmana who

works as a priest so that he may enlighten his followers with the spiritual way

of

life is not qualified as a priest, then he is cheating the public. One should

not

earn by such unfair means. The same is applicable to a ksatriya or to a vaisya.

It

is especially mentioned that the means of livelihood of those who are trying to

advance in Krsna consciousness must be very fair and uncomplicated. Here it is

mentioned that he who earns his livelihood by unfair means (kevalena) is sent

to

the darkest hellish region. Otherwise, if one maintains his family by

prescribed

methods and honest means, there is no objection to one's being a family man.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 3.30.33

 

Then what to speak of the karmis? Their whole life is abhadra. Abhadra means

abominable. Just like when earning money, I want to earn, say, millions of

dollars. So I have to make plan. I have to go to black market, this and that,

so

many things. Then if I earn money, then how to invest it to make it double?

Then

how to keep it? Which bank I shall keep it so that my money will be safe? How I

shall distribute it? So abhadra. Abhadra means the whole procedure is simply

abominable, beginning to the end. [break] ...karmis, simply full of anxiety:

"How

to earn money? How to distribute it? How to keep it? How to spend it? How to

utilize it?" Therefore, it is advised that saintly persons, they should avoid

money. As soon as... Money is great maya. As soon it comes in my possession,

then

the same thing will come: "How to utilize it? How to do this? How to do that?

How

to do that?"

So Sridhara Svami says that, evam bhuta-vijnanam acyuta-bhava-varjitam cet alam

tata na sobhate tada sat-sadhana kale phala kale ca abhadram duhkha duhkham yat

kamam.(?) Lust. We require money for fulfilling our lust. So it is, beginning,

from the beginning to the end, it is abominable. Yadyapy akatak ceti cakarasya

anvaya.(?) So therefore we should employ our money for Acyuta, for Krsna. Then

it

will be nice. Otherwise, it will be simply abominable. How money can be

utilized

for Krsna? How? If somebody says, "It is the same money. How, by spending it

for

Krsna consciousness, it become nice?" The question may be raised: "The money is

the same. How you say that when it is employed in Krsna consciousness business,

it

is nice, and when it is not employed, it is bad? Money is the same." The reply

is

there. Bhagavata says. What is that reply?

Now cikitsitam. The example is given: just like milk. If you take... Milk is

very

nice food. But if you take more, then there will be disorder of the bowel. If

you,

by greediness, you take more milk, then there will be bowel complaint. Yes.

Then,

when there is bowel complaint, you go to physician. Then he gives you

prescription: another milk preparation. What is that? Yogurt. If you say to the

physician, "Well, I am suffering by taking milk preparation, and you are giving

another milk preparation. How it will be cured?" No, it will be cured.

Similarly,

this material world, there is different type of use. As soon as you use it for

your sense gratification, you'll be affected with material disease. And if you

use

it for Krsna consciousness, it will elevate you to the liberated condition.

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.12-13 -- New Vrindaban, June 11,

1969