Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
स्वेदमूत्रपुरीषाणि श्लेष्मा पित्त सशोणितम् । त्वन्तः क्षरति सर्वेषां कस्माद्वर्णो विभज्यते ॥ ५४ ॥
svedamūtrapurīṣāṇi śleṣmā pitta saśoṇitam | tvantaḥ kṣarati sarveṣāṃ kasmādvarṇo vibhajyate || 54 ||
Sudor, orina y heces—y también flema (śleṣma), bilis (pitta) y sangre—rezuman desde dentro de la piel de todos por igual. Si las sustancias del cuerpo son comunes a todos, ¿con qué fundamento se divide a las personas en ‘varṇas’?
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
FAQs
It undermines pride based on birth by pointing out that all bodies share the same impure constituents; the verse redirects attention from bodily identity to the pursuit of mokṣa through right understanding.
By reducing attachment to bodily and social identities, it prepares the mind for single-pointed devotion—seeing all beings as equal before the Lord and valuing inner purity over external status.
No specific Vedāṅga is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharma-viveka—using discernment to separate social convention from spiritual truth, which supports disciplined conduct and sādhana.