Talk:Varṇa Dharma for Universal Well-being:Universal Well-being

By Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swami

According to the canonical texts, the Brahmin must perform vaiśvadeva every day in front of his house — the offering of bali to the Pañcama is a part of this rite. The goal of Vedic works is the happiness of all mankind, indeed the happiness of all the worlds (Lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu). The sound of the Vedas creates universal well-being, so too do Vedic sacrifices.

As a ruler, the Kṣatriya wages wars and does policing work for the security of all citizens. The Vaiśya too serves society — to think that he takes home all the profit he makes is unfair. The Lord speaks of the dharma of Vaiśyas in the Gītā: Kṛṣi-gorakṣya-vāṇijyaṃ vaiśya-karma svabhāvajam. The third varṇa has three duties — raising crops, cow protection and trading — and it carries them out for the welfare of all people.

The Vaiśya ploughs the field and grows crops for the benefit of the entire community. Similarly, the milk yielded by his cow is meant for general consumption and for sacrifices. A Vaiśya must also take care to see that the calves have their feed of milk. As a trader, he procures commodities from other places to be sold locally.

However rich a man may be, he cannot sustain himself with money alone. He has to depend on traders for essential goods. Trading is the dharma of Vaiśyas and it is an offence on their part not to practise it. Similarly, Brahmins would be committing a sin if they gave up Vedic rituals and earned money by doing other types of work. It is wrong to think that the trader carries on his trade for his good alone. Just imagine what would happen if there were a hartāl and all shops were closed for a week. Surely people would suffer when essential goods are not readily available.

Vaiśyas must conduct their business in the belief that their vocation is one that is ordained by the Lord and that it is for the good of the entire community.