In time of emergency, one may accept any of the various types of professions known as ṛta, amṛta, mṛta, pramṛta and satyānṛta, but one should not at any time accept the profession of a dog. The occupations of the brāhmaṇa and the vaiśya are permitted for all during emergencies. This verse is explained in the following verses. The profession of uṣchaśila, collecting grains from the field, is called ṛta. Collecting without begging is called amṛta, begging grains is called mṛta, tilling the ground is called pramṛta, and trade is called satyānṛta. Engaging in the service of low-grade persons, however, is called śva-vṛtti, the profession of the dogs. Brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas should not engage in service to those lower, since the brāhmaṇas are the personification of Vedic knowledge, and kṣatriyas are like devatās. The reason that the brāhmaṇa and kṣatriya should not take service from those who are lower is that the brāhmaṇa is equivalent to the Vedas and the kṣatriya is equivalent to the devatās. However for vaiśyas and śūdras to take employment from those lower than themselves is not so faulty.