FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.11.31

ప్రాయ: స్వభావవిహితో నృణాం ధర్మో యుగే యుగే । వేదద‍ృగ్భి: స్మృతో రాజన్ప్రేత్య చేహ చ శర్మకృత్ ॥ ౩౧ ॥
prāyaḥ sva-bhāva-vihito
[praayah sva-bhaava-vihito]
nṛṇāṁ dharmo yuge yuge
[nrinaam dharmo yuge yuge]
veda-dṛgbhiḥ smṛto rājan
[veda-drigbhih smrito raajan]
pretya ceha ca śarma-kṛt
[pretya cheha cha sharma-krit]
Word-for-word
prāyaḥ — generally sva-bhāva-vihitaḥ — prescribed, according to one’s material modes of nature nṛṇām — of human society dharmaḥ — the occupational duty yuge yuge — in every age veda-dṛgbhiḥ — by brāhmaṇas well conversant in the Vedic knowledge smṛtaḥ — recognized rājan — O King pretya — after death ca — and iha — here (in this body) ca — also śarma-kṛt — auspicious.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
prāyaḥ sva-bhāva-vihito
prāyaḥ
generally
sva-bhāva-vihitaḥ
prescribed, according to one’s material modes of nature
nṛṇāṁ dharmo yuge yuge
nṛṇām
of human society
dharmaḥ
the occupational duty
yuge yuge
in every age
veda-dṛgbhiḥ smṛto rājan
veda-dṛgbhiḥ
by brāhmaṇas well conversant in the Vedic knowledge
smṛtaḥ
recognized
rājan
O King
pretya ceha ca śarma-kṛt
pretya
after death
ca
and
iha
here (in this body)
ca
also
śarma-kṛt
auspicious.
My dear King, brāhmaṇas well conversant in Vedic knowledge have given their verdict that in every age [yuga] the conduct of different sections of people according to their material modes of nature is auspicious both in this life and after death.
Purport

In Bhagavad-gītā (3.35) it is said, śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt: “It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though they may be faulty, than another’s duties.” The antyajas, the men of the lower classes, are accustomed to stealing, drinking and illicit sex, but that is not considered sinful. For example, if a tiger kills a man, this is not sinful but if a man kills another man, this is considered sinful, and the killer is hanged. What is a daily affair among the animals is a sinful act in human society. Thus according to the symptoms of higher and lower sections of society, there are different varieties of occupational duties. According to the experts in Vedic knowledge, these duties are prescribed in terms of the age concerned.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O King! Those in knowledge of the Vedas say that in every age an occupation according to one’s nature generally brings happiness in this life and after death. It is better to perform one’s own occupation, though inferior, than the occupation of a superior varṇa. This is the conclusion of the knowers of the Veda. It is the cause of happiness (śarma-kṛt). The Lord says: śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt | sva-dharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ || It is better to perform ones own duties even if in a faulty way, than to perform others’ duties albeit very well. Destruction in the course one’s duties is beneficial. Performing others’ duties is full of danger. BG 3.35 This is a general principle (prāyaḥ) because giving up bad conduct found in the lower groups does not bring unhappiness.
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Source: vedabase.io

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