FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.11.32

वृत्त्या स्वभावकृतया वर्तमान: स्वकर्मकृत् । हित्वा स्वभावजं कर्म शनैर्निर्गुणतामियात् ॥ ३२ ॥
vṛttyā sva-bhāva-kṛtayā
[vrittyaa sva-bhaava-kritayaa]
vartamānaḥ sva-karma-kṛt
[vartamaanah sva-karma-krit]
hitvā sva-bhāva-jaṁ karma
[hitvaa sva-bhaava-jam karma]
śanair nirguṇatām iyāt
[shanair nirgunataam iyaat]
Word-for-word
vṛttyā — with the profession sva-bhāva-kṛtayā — performed according to one’s modes of material nature vartamānaḥ — existing sva-karma-kṛt — executing his own work hitvā — giving up sva-bhāva-jam — born from one’s own modes of nature karma — activities śanaiḥ — gradually nirguṇatām — transcendental position iyāt — may attain.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
vṛttyā sva-bhāva-kṛtayā
vṛttyā
with the profession
sva-bhāva-kṛtayā
performed according to one’s modes of material nature
vartamānaḥ
existing
vartamānaḥ sva-karma-kṛt
sva-karma-kṛt
executing his own work
hitvā sva-bhāva-jaṁ karma
hitvā
giving up
sva-bhāva-jam
born from one’s own modes of nature
karma
activities
śanair nirguṇatām iyāt
śanaiḥ
gradually
nirguṇatām
transcendental position
iyāt
may attain.
If one acts in his profession according to his position in the modes of nature and gradually gives up these activities, he attains the niṣkāma stage.
Purport

If one gradually gives up his hereditary customs and duties and tries to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead in his natural position, he is gradually able to become free from these activities, and he attains the stage of niṣkāma, freedom from material desires.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
If one acts in his profession according to his nature, after gradually giving up his actions according to his nature, he attains the stage beyond the guṇas. He gradually gives up his nature after many births. It is said svadharma-niṣṭhaḥ śata janmabhiḥ pumān viriñcatām eti: one who strictly follows the principles of varṇāśrama-dharma for at least one hundred births will attain the post of Lord Brahmā.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
If one acts in his profession per the modes and gradually gives up these activities, he attains niṣkāma — desirelessness. Letting dharma play itself out can produce the very renunciation forced renunciation cannot. Don't skip the natural stages.
Reflection Questions
  • Where are you forcing a stage of renunciation that your dharma has not yet produced naturally?
  • What patience with your current dharma could yield real desirelessness later?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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