SB 11.17.15 — FolioCorpus

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.17.15

वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च जन्मभूम्यनुसारिणी: । आसन् प्रकृतयो नृणां नीचैर्नीचोत्तमोत्तमा: ॥ १५ ॥

varṇānām āśramāṇāṁ ca

[varnaanaam aashramaanaam cha]

janma-bhūmy-anusāriṇīḥ

[janma-bhoomy-anusaarineeh]

āsan prakṛtayo nṝnāṁ

[aasan prakritayo nreenaam]

nīcair nīcottamottamāḥ

[neechair neechottamottamaah]

Word-for-word

varṇānām — of the occupational divisions āśramāṇām — of the social divisions ca — also janma — of birth bhūmi — the situation anusāriṇīḥ — according to āsan — appeared prakṛtayaḥ — the natures nṝṇām — of human beings nīcaiḥ — by inferior background nīca — inferior nature uttama — by superior background uttamāḥ — superior natures.

Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)

varṇānām āśramāṇāṁ ca

varṇānām

of the occupational divisions

āśramāṇām

of the social divisions

also

janma-bhūmy-anusāriṇīḥ

janma

of birth

bhūmi

the situation

anusāriṇīḥ

according to

āsan prakṛtayo nṝnāṁ

āsan

appeared

prakṛtayaḥ

the natures

nṝṇām

of human beings

nīcair nīcottamottamāḥ

nīcaiḥ

by inferior background

nīca

inferior nature

uttama

by superior background

uttamāḥ

superior natures.

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 Ṭhākura, the brāhmaṇas 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 gṛhasthas, 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 varṇāśrama 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 varṇāśrama divisions until they reach the stage of jīvan-mukta, or liberated life.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Gauḍīya Ācāryas

Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya

Translation

According to the place of birth on the universal form, the various occupational and social divisions of human society appeared with inferior and superior natures. The natures, low or high, appeared according to low or high place of birth on the body of the universal form. Thus the face and head, being the highest place on the body, produced the highest natures of brāhmaṇas and sannyāsīs. Since the feet and loins are the lowest portion of the body, they produced natures of śūdras and gṛhāsthas.

Personal Guidance

Varṇāśrama divisions arose according to the inferior and superior natures evident at one's birth. The system reads nature; it does not impose at random.

Reflection Questions

What is my actual nature, and what work does it call me to?
Where am I fighting my nature instead of refining it?

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io