So in all scriptures, the idea of varṇāśrama is very necessary. It is stated in that that all these are very important, that varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ. Here also it is said ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ. vibhāgaśaḥ, vibhāgaśaḥ means divisions, four varṇa and four āśrama.
In another place in Visnu Purana, this same idea of varṇāśrama is stated. It is also stated in the Bhagavatam. So varṇāśrama is very important. So the varṇāśrama divisions are there. Do your own work, do the work of a brāhmaṇa, do the work of a kṣatriya, do the work of a vaiśya, do the work of a śūdra, brahmacārī, gṛhastha vānaprastha, what is the purpose?
ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya (SB 1.2.13), Each one’s prescribed duties which are there, do those. For what purpose? svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya saṁsiddhir, saṁsiddhi means perfection, to achieve perfection. Every thing has a perfection. If there is no perfection then it is only labor. There must be perfection. Take any work, if you are doing business then there must be profit. If no profit, only working like an ass then what is the point.
So similarly this divisions of varṇāśrama so what is it’s perfection? Perfection is hari-toṣaṇam (SB 1.2.13). ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam (SB 1.2.13). So do exercise, regularly, make the body strong, that is also required. But that bodily strength use it for the pleasure of the Lord, nothing else. I have a lot of bodily strength, I become a ruffian, trouble others, that is no use. Whatever you do, one needs to perfect it hari-toṣaṇam, for the pleasure of the Lord. hari-toṣaṇam, one must please the Lord.
This Krishna consciousness movement is multi faceted. We can serve the Lord using everything. prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā śreya-ācaraṇaṁ sadā (SB 10.22.35) this is the purpose. With life, with wealth, with intelligence, with words, in every way service to the Lord. We want, we also want to open a school for varṇāśrama, in Europe, four varṇa and four āśrama. Just like there is a school, college for engineering, school and college for medical, other branches, department of knowledge. In the same way there should be a school, college for brāhmaṇa also. How to become a brāhmaṇa. Similarly we should have for kṣatriya also. How to become a kṣatriya. Similarly for vaiśyas also.
This does not happen from birth, but from quality. guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ (BG 4.13), one must have quality and activity also. Just like there is a doctor, he has passed the examination but has not worked as a doctor, he worked as a paanwallah, or worked as someone else, so will someone call him a doctor. He must have the qualities of a doctor and the activities of a doctor also.
Similarly the kṣatriyas make their body strong through practice that is quality and after acquiring this quality kṣatriya has activity also. Then that is complete. And if the activity is to serve the Lord then saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam. sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ (BG 18.45). To achieve perfection according to the divisions of varṇāśrama, according to ones propensity, make them an expert, one should be very expert in doing all types of work. And after becoming an expert if that is engaged in the service of the Lord that is called perfection. Because the human form of life is to achieve perfection. And the animal life is eat, drink, beget children and die. That is animal life. And human form of life is to achieve perfection. What is that perfection? saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ (BG 18.45), abhyarcya, yena sarvam idaṁ tatam (BG 18.46). That Supreme Lord should be pleased and thereby one should achieve perfection.
So my request to you is that this gym, do practice to get bodily strength, alongside to bhagavad kirtana also. There will be no loss for you in this endeavor. By doing this your contact with the Supreme Lord will remain intact. And perfection of every activity is achieved when we are keeping contact with the Supreme Lord.