[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Purāṇas](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) › [Vishnupurana](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu) › 3.8.40.p1 # Vishnupurana 3.8.40.p1 Viṣṇupurāṇa 3.8.40.p1 - **Language:** Sanskrit ### [3.8.40.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.3.8.40.p1) iti śrīviṣṇupurāṇe tṛtīyāṃśe 'ṣṭamo 'dhyāyaḥ > "In times of distress the peculiar functions of the castes may be modified, as you shall hear. A Brahman may follow the occupations of a Kshatriya or a Vaiśya; the Kshatriya may adopt those of the Vaiśya; and the Vaiśya those of the Kshatriya: but these two last should never descend to the functions of the Śúdra, if it be possible to avoid them; and if that be not possible, they must at least shun the functions of the mined castes. I will now, Rájá, relate to you the duties of the several Ásramas or conditions of life." > — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition - [Previous: 3.8.40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.3.8.40) - [Next: 3.9.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.3.9.1) - [Up: 3.8.40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.3.8.40) ## Translations (2) - [The Vishnu Purana: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu~en-wilson.3.8.9) — Horace Hayman Wilson 1840, English - [A Prose English Translation of Vishnupuranam](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu~en-dutt.3.8.p8) — Manmatha Nath Dutt 1896, English --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.3.8.40.p1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.visnu.3.8.40.p1) · Pramāṇa