Meaning
Supreme God Krishna spoke
Farming, cow-keeping, and trade are the typical works of Vaishyas, while Shudras naturally excel in providing care and service. (18:44)
Sanskrit
श्रीभगवान् उवाच
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् ।
परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम्॥
Word-by-word
कृषि, गौ-रक्ष्य, वाणिज्यम्, वैश्य कर्म स्वभाव-जम्।
परिचर्या, आत्मकम् कर्म शूद्रस्य अपि स्वभावजम् ।
Commentary
As per this verse, individuals in roles such as nurses, many doctors serving in a hospital, flight attendants or air hostesses, and all other service personnel may be categorized under the Shudra category. It’s crucial to emphasize that all these roles warrant respect, and being a service provider of any kind, including through manual labor, should not lead to disdain or discrimination.