Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
गोभ्यो वृत्तिं समास्थाय पीताः कृष्युपजीविनः । स्वधर्म्मन्नानुतिष्टंति ते द्विजा वैश्यतां गताः ॥ ५८ ॥
gobhyo vṛttiṃ samāsthāya pītāḥ kṛṣyupajīvinaḥ | svadharmmannānutiṣṭaṃti te dvijā vaiśyatāṃ gatāḥ || 58 ||
Jene Zweifachgeborenen, die ihren Lebensunterhalt aus Viehhaltung beziehen und vom Ackerbau leben, jedoch ihre eigene vorgeschriebene Pflicht nicht erfüllen — von ihnen heißt es, sie seien in den Stand der Vaiśyas herabgesunken.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue instructing Narada on dharma and conduct)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It stresses that inner integrity (svadharma) matters more than mere social label: when the twice-born abandon their ordained duties and take up other livelihoods, their spiritual and social standing is described as diminished.
Indirectly, it sets a foundation for bhakti by emphasizing disciplined conduct; devotion in the Narada Purana is supported by living one’s dharma sincerely rather than using religious identity while neglecting duty.
It reflects Dharmaśāstra-based application of Vedic social ethics (ācāra and svadharma); while not a technical Vedāṅga lesson like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa, it applies Vedic normative principles to livelihood and conduct.