Shloka 27
अव्यक्त-प्रबोधः (Awakening to the Unmanifest): The 25th and 26th Principles and Eligibility for Brahma-vidyā
न चापि शूद्र: पततीति निश्चयो न चापि संस्कारमिहाहतीति वा । श्रुतिप्रवृत्त न च धर्ममाप्तुते न चास्य धर्मे प्रतिषेधनं कृतम्,यह निश्चय है कि शूद्र पतित नहीं होता तथा वह उपनयन आदि संस्कारका भी अधिकारी नहीं है। उसे वैदिक अग्निहोत्र आदि कर्मोके अनुष्ठानका भी अधिकार नहीं प्राप्त है; परंतु उपर्युक्त सामान्य धर्मोका उसके लिये निषेध भी नहीं किया गया है
na cāpi śūdraḥ patatīti niścayo na cāpi saṁskāram ihāhatīti vā | śruti-pravṛttaṁ na ca dharmam āpnute na cāsya dharme pratiṣedhanaṁ kṛtam ||
Parāśara said: “It is a settled conclusion that a Śūdra does not become ‘fallen’ (by the kinds of lapses discussed for the twice-born), nor is he here regarded as entitled to the consecratory rites such as upanayana. He does not obtain the right to Veda-based duties set in motion by śruti—such as the Vedic fire-rites. Yet, with respect to the general duties of right conduct, no prohibition has been laid down for him.”
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse distinguishes between (1) Veda-authorized ritual duties (śruti-pravṛtta karma) and (2) general ethical duties (sāmānya-dharma). It states that a Śūdra is not assigned eligibility for Vedic consecrations and Vedic fire-ritual obligations, yet is not barred from general moral and social duties.
In Śānti Parva’s dharma-discourse, Parāśara is explaining rules of conduct and eligibility across social categories. Here he clarifies how ‘falling’ (patitatva) and Vedic rites apply differently to the twice-born and to the Śūdra, while affirming the applicability of common ethical norms.