Sometimes we become bewildered by the verse in Srimad Bhagavatam, which reads, “O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one can achieve by discharging the duties prescribed for one’s own occupation according to caste divisions and orders of life is to please the Personality of Godhead.” The bewilderment comes when one thinks “prescribed” duties here refers one’s “varna.” In this way devotees are sometimes illusioned into thinking they have determined a particular “varna.” But in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.12.24, Srila Prabhupada emphasizes that the only really “prescribed” duty in this age is chanting the name of the Lord. Herein he writes, “but he must agree to perform sacrifices as it is recommended in the scriptures for the particular place, time and person. In the Vedic literatures, it is recommended that in Kali-yuga people engage in glorifying the Lord by chanting the holy name of Krsna (kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet) [Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32 ] without offense. By doing so one can be freed from all sins and thus can attain the highest perfection of life by returning home, back to Godhead.”
What is the Real Meaning of Occupational Duty?