Shloka 186
Adhyāya 70: Sātyaki’s Arrow-Display and the Bhūriśravas Engagement; Twilight Withdrawal
वैश्यांश्वाप्यूरूतो राजन् शूद्रान् वै पादतस्तथा । इन कमलनयन भगवान्से बढ़कर दूसरा कोई तत्त्व न हुआ है
vaiśyāṁś cāpy ūrutaḥ rājan śūdrān vai pādataḥ tathā |
Bhīṣma said: “O King, from His thighs He brought forth the Vaiśyas, and likewise from His feet the Śūdras. Thus the lotus-eyed, supreme Lord manifested the four orders from His own body: Brāhmaṇas from the mouth, Kṣatriyas from the two arms, Vaiśyas from the thighs, and Śūdras from the feet.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the four varṇas as originating from a single divine source, framing social duties as parts of an overarching cosmic dharma; it encourages respect for the ethical order and role-based responsibilities within society.
Bhīṣma is instructing the king on dharma and the structure of society, explaining a traditional cosmological account in which the Lord manifests Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras from different parts of His body.