Chapter 22: The Process of Devotional Service

Synonyms

mukha—the mouth; bāhu—the arms; ūru—the waist; pādebhyaḥ—from the legs; puruṣasya—of the supreme person; āśramaiḥ—the different spiritual orders; saha—with; catvāraḥ—the four; jajñire—appeared; varṇāḥ—social orders; guṇaiḥ—with particular qualifications; vipra-ādayaḥ—brāhmaṇas, etc.; pṛthak—separately..

Translation

" 'From the mouth of Brahmā, the brahminical order has come into existence. Similarly, from his arms the kṣatriyas have come, from his waist the vaiśyas have come and from his legs the śūdras have come. These four orders and their spiritual counterparts [brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa] combine to make human society complete.

Purport