Shloka 39

सप्तद्वीप-समुद्र-प्रमाणम्: प्लक्षादि-द्वीपवर्णनं, लोकालोक-सीमा, चन्द्र-समुद्र-वृद्धिक्षयः

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्राश् चानुक्रमोदिताः

Transliteration

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāś cānukramoditāḥ

Translation

Brahmins, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras—thus are they declared in due sequence.

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणाः: Brāhmaṇas
• ब्राह्मणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• क्षत्रियाः: Kṣatriyas
• क्षत्रियाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• वैश्याः: Vaiśyas
• वैश्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• शूद्राः: Śūdras
• शूद्राः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• अनुक्रमोदिताः: mentioned in due order
• अनुक्रमोदिताः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुक्रम + उदित (कृदन्त; धातु: उद्/उद्-√इ/√उद्?; यहाँ ‘उदित’ = ‘उक्त/निर्दिष्ट’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘उदित’; तत्पुरुष (अनुक्रमेण उदिताः = in order stated)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Varṇa ordering as part of dharmic/social structure

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Society is described as four varṇas in due sequence, indicating an ordered framework for duty.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Read the teaching as a call to disciplined responsibility and integrity in one’s role, avoiding harm and pride.

Vishishtadvaita: Ordered plurality (including social differentiation) can function as a real, dharma-bearing structure within the Lord’s world.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins

FAQs

What is the significance of the four varnas in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse presents the four varnas as an ordered sequence, framing social structure as part of the wider dharmic order that supports stability in the world.

How does Sage Parāśara explain social order in this section?

Parāśara states the classes in a fixed sequence, indicating that society is to be understood through an established gradation aligned with dharma rather than as a random arrangement.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the Purana’s framework treats dharmic order—including social organization—as sustained by the Supreme Vishnu who upholds the universe.