In India, there was a class division of occupations amongst the four varnas. According to Manu, "Among the several duties, the most commendable are teaching the Veda for the Brahmin, protecting the people for the Kashtriya and trading for vaishya". But there are certain relaxations regarding the prescribed occupations of the four varnas in times of distress and adversity. A Brahmana who is unable to maintain himself by his own occupation may adopt the occupation of Kshatriya similarly the Kshatriya may adopt the occupation of a Vaishya. Further a Vaishya who is unable to subsist by his own occupation may adopt the Shudra's mode of living. |