Shloka 75
Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)
सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य यथाशक्ति निशानिशम् | शूद्रधर्म: समाख्यातस्त्रिवर्गपरिचारणम्
sarvātithyaṁ trivargasya yathāśakti niśāniśam | śūdradharmaḥ samākhyātas trivargaparicāraṇam ||
Maheshvara said: “A Shudra, according to his capacity, should continually—day after day—offer complete hospitality and respectful reception to the three higher social orders. Service and attendance upon Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas is declared to be his principal dharma.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a Shudra’s primary dharma is continual service and respectful hospitality toward the three higher varṇas, performed within one’s means (yathāśakti), emphasizing humility, support, and social responsibility.
In Anushasana Parva’s dharma-instruction context, Maheshvara is expounding normative duties; here he defines the characteristic duty of the Shudra as ongoing hospitality and attendance upon Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.