Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.17.19
शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चाप्यमायया ।
तत्र लब्धेन सन्तोष: शूद्रप्रकृतयस्त्विमा: ॥ १९ ॥
śuśrūṣaṇaṁ dvija-gavāṁ
[shushrooshanam dvija-gavaam]
devānāṁ cāpy amāyayā
[devaanaam chaapy amaayayaa]
tatra labdhena santoṣaḥ
[tatra labdhena santoshah]
śūdra-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ
[shoodra-prakritayas tv imaah]
Word-for-word
śuśrūṣaṇam
—
service
dvija
—
of the brāhmaṇas
gavām
—
of the cows
devānām
—
of worshipable personalities such as the demigods and the spiritual master
ca
—
also
api
—
indeed
amāyayā
—
without duplicity
tatra
—
in such service
labdhena
—
with that which is obtained
santoṣaḥ
—
complete satisfaction
śūdra
—
of the śūdras
prakṛtayaḥ
—
the natural qualities
tu
—
indeed
imāḥ
—
these.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śuśrūṣaṇaṁ dvija-gavāṁ
śuśrūṣaṇam
service
dvija
of the brāhmaṇas
gavām
of the cows
devānāṁ cāpy amāyayā
devānām
of worshipable personalities such as the demigods and the spiritual master
ca
also
api
indeed
amāyayā
without duplicity
tatra labdhena santoṣaḥ
tatra
in such service
labdhena
with that which is obtained
santoṣaḥ
complete satisfaction
śūdra-prakṛtayas tv imāḥ
śūdra
of the śūdras
prakṛtayaḥ
the natural qualities
tu
indeed
imāḥ
these.
Service without duplicity to the brāhmaṇas, cows, demigods and other worshipable personalities, and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of śūdras.
Purport
When the entire social order is functioning properly according to Vedic standards, everyone is happy and satisfied. Although the śūdras are to be satisfied with whatever income they obtain through their service, they never lack the necessities of life, because the other orders of society, such as kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, are required to be abundantly generous, and the brāhmaṇas are well known for being the most merciful of all. Therefore, if all social classes obey the Vedic injunctions there will be a new and blissful life for the entire human society under the guidance of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Service without duplicity to the higher varṇas, cows, devatās, and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of śūdras.
Personal Guidance
Sincere service to brāhmaṇas, cows, demigods, and worshipable persons, with satisfaction in whatever income arises from that service — natural qualities of the śūdra. Service rendered well is no less sacred than command rendered well.
Reflection Questions
- What service in my life could I render with more wholeheartedness?
- Where do I treat 'serving' as lesser than 'leading'?
My note
Source: vedabase.io