Sutra 44
In devotional service the rules of varnasrama-dharma no longer apply, for the devotees of the Lord are above the ignorance of material life.
Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Are the devotees of the Lord obliged to follow the rules of varnasrama dharma, or are they not obliged to follow them? The author writes this sutra to answer this question. He says: In devotional service the rules of varnasrama-dharma no longer apply. Neophyte, materialistic devotees should follow varnasrama-dharma, but advanced devotees, who are situated on the spiritual platform and are free from the grip of the modes of material nature have no use for varnasrama-dharma. This pure devotional service is described by the Lord in these words (Bhagavad-gita 7.19 and 7.17):
"He who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me."
"Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me through pure devotional service is the best."
In Srimad Bhagavatam (11.18.28) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"A learned transcendentalist dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and thus detached from external objects, or My devotee who is detached even from desire for liberation, both neglect those duties based on external rituals or paraphernalia. Thus their conduct is beyond the range of rules and regulations."
In Bhagavad-gita (18.66) the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."
============
PERFECTION – BEING IN TUNE WITH REALITY
The body is yours—but it is not you. The body is a garment that you are wearing, a machine that you are using, a vehicle that you are driving. The body is your possession. Just as a person does not identify himself as being the shirt he is wearing, he also should not identify himself with the body that he is wearing.
Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda
============
Manu explains:
"A brahmana should: 1. study, 2. teach, 3. worship the Lord, 4. convince others to worship the Lord, 5. give charity, and 6. accept charity.
"A ksatriya should: 1. protect the citizens, 2. give charity, 3. worship the Lord, 4. study scripture, and 5 not become attached to material sense-objects.
"A vaisya should: 1. protect cows, 2. give charity, 3. worship the Lord, 4. study scripture, 5. engage in banking and commerce, and 6. engage in farming.
"A sudra has one duty: without envy he should faithfully serve the other varnas.
"So the people would prosper, the Supreme Personality of Godhead created the different varnas. He created the brahmanas from His head, the ksatriyas from His arms, the vaisyas from His thighs, and the sudras from His feet."
In Bhagavad-gita (18.41-44), the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
"Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras are distinguished by their qualities of work, O chastise of the enemy, in accordance with the modes of nature.
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness. These are the qualities by which the brahmanas work."
Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.
"Farming, cow protection, and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labour and service to others."
In Bhagavad-gita (18.47, 6.43 and 6.44) the Supreme Personality of Godhead again explains:
"It is better to engage in one's own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly. Prescribed duties, according to one's nature, are never affected by sinful reactions."
"On taking such a birth, he again revives the divine consciousness of his previous life. and he tries to make further progress in order to achieve complete success, O son of Kuru.
"By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles, even without seeking them."
