Shloka 27
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
देवि! इन्हीं शुभ कर्मों और आचरणोंसे शूद्र ब्राह्मणत्वको प्राप्त होता है और वैश्य क्षत्रियत्वको ।। शूद्रकर्माणि सर्वाणि यथान्यायं यथाविधि । शुश्रूषां परिचर्या च ज्येछ्ठे वर्णे प्रयत्नत:
Devi! imaiḥ śubha-karmabhiḥ ācāraṇaiś ca śūdro brāhmaṇatvaṁ prāpnoti vaiśyaś ca kṣatriyatvam. śūdra-karmāṇi sarvāṇi yathā-nyāyaṁ yathā-vidhi; śuśrūṣāṁ paricaryāṁ ca jyeṣṭhe varṇe prayatnataḥ.
Maheshvara dijo: «Diosa, por estas obras propicias y por una conducta disciplinada, un Śūdra puede alcanzar el estado de Brāhmaṇa, y un Vaiśya puede alcanzar el estado de Kṣatriya. Que todos los deberes de un Śūdra se cumplan conforme a la justicia y según el rito prescrito—en especial, el servicio atento y la asistencia devota al varṇa mayor (superior), emprendidos con empeño sincero».
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that ethical conduct and properly performed duties (ācāra and karma done yathā-nyāya and yathā-vidhi) are presented as a basis for social elevation—stressing disciplined service, propriety, and diligent effort as transformative.
Maheśvara addresses Devī, explaining norms of varṇa-dharma: he describes how certain auspicious actions and correct conduct, especially diligent service and attendance to seniors, are said to lead to attaining higher varṇa-status.