We all have various thoughts and plans, and diverse are the callings of men. The carpenter seeks out that which is cracked; the physician, the ailing; the priest, the soma press.§
Ṛig Veda 9.112. VE, 270-280§
The daughter of heaven has revealed Herself in the eastern region, all clothed in light. Faithfully She follows the path of ṛita dharma; well understanding, She measures out the regions.§
Ṛig Veda 1.124.3. VE, 808§
The hands are alike but in their work they differ. So also, two cows, offspring of a single mother, may yet give differing yields of milk. Even twins are not the same in strength, or kinsmen in bounty. §
Ṛig Veda 10.117.9. VE, 851§
A man should think on wealth and strive to win it by adoration on the path of Order, counsel himself with his own mental insight, and grasp still nobler vigor with his spirit.§
Ṛig Veda 10.31.2. RVG, 459§
Who, weary of Brahman studentship, having fully learnt the Vedas, is discharged by the teacher he had ever obeyed, such a one is called the āśramin. Choosing a wife of equally high birth, he should deposit the sacred fires, and bring to those Deities the Brahman sacrifice day and night until, dividing among the children his property, abstaining from conjugal pleasures, he gives himself to the forest life, wandering in a pure region. Living on water and on air, and on such fruit as proper, fire within body, he abides on Earth without obligations, without tears.§
Atharva Veda, sannyāsa Upanishad 2.1-4. UPB, 735-36§
In how many parts was He transformed when they cut the Purusha in pieces? What did His mouth become? What His arms, what His thighs, what His feet? His mouth then became the brāhmaṇa, from the arms the rājanya was made, the vaiśya from the thighs, from the feet the śūdra came forth.§
Ṛig Veda 10.90.11-12. UPB, 894§
A hundred uninitiated are equal to one brahmachārī. A hundred brahmachārīs are equal to one gṛihastha. A hundred gṛihasthas are equal to one vānaprastha. A hundred vānaprasthas are equal to one sannyāsin.§
Atharva Veda, Narasiṅha Upanishad 5.10. UPB, 832§
The works of brāhmins, kshatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras are different, in harmony with the three powers of their born nature. The works of a brāhmin are peace, self-harmony, austerity and purity, loving forgiveness and righteousness, vision, wisdom and faith. These are the works of a kshatriya: a heroic mind, inner fire, constancy, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and noble leadership. Trade, agriculture and the rearing of cattle is the work of a vaiśya. And the work of the śūdra is service. They all attain perfection when they find joy in their work.§
Bhagavad Gītā 18.41-45. BGM, 118-10§
A man attains perfection when his work is worship of God, from whom all things come and who is in all. Greater is thine own work, even if this be humble, than the work of another, even if this be great. When a man does the work God gives him, no sin can touch this man.§
Bhagavad Gītā 18.45-47. BGM, 119§
A sattvic he is, his thoughts centered on Paratattva, his vision clear through conflicting faiths, abhorrent of recurring cycles of births, straight in dharma’s path he easy walks. He, sure, is disciple good and true.§
Tirumantiram 1696. TM§
He who casts out love and dharma and chooses self-denial so wealth can pile high will see it seized by strangers. He who understands the duty of giving truly lives. All others shall be counted among the dead.§
Tirukural 214 & 1009. WW§
More imposing than a mountain is the greatness of a man who, steadfast in domestic life, has mastered self-control. Morality is the birthright of high families, while immoral conduct’s legacy is lowly birth.§
Tirukural 124 & 133. WW§
By the laws of dharma that govern body and mind, you must fear sin and act righteously. Wise men, by thinking and behaving in this way, become worthy to gain bliss both here and hereafter. God lives in this house built of earth, water, fire, air and ether. Therefore, keep the house clean and the mind pure, and conduct yourself with calmness.§
Natchintanai, Letter 7. NT, 20§