Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
शूद्रे चैतद्भवेल्लक्ष्म द्विजे तच्च न विद्यते । न वै शूद्रो भवेच्छूद्रो ब्राह्मणो ब्राह्मणो न च ॥ ७० ॥
śūdre caitadbhavellakṣma dvije tacca na vidyate | na vai śūdro bhavecchūdro brāhmaṇo brāhmaṇo na ca || 70 ||
Ô Lakṣmī, ce signe véritable de la qualité spirituelle peut se trouver chez un Śūdra, mais ne pas se trouver chez un « deux-fois-né ». En vérité, un Śūdra n’est pas forcément Śūdra, et un Brāhmaṇa n’est pas forcément Brāhmaṇa.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual worth is determined by inner qualities and realized conduct (dharma), not merely by birth-status; therefore genuine virtue may appear anywhere, and nominal labels can be empty.
By implying that devotion and purity are accessible to all, it supports the bhakti principle that sincere faith and righteous living—not social designation—make one fit for spiritual progress and divine grace.
The verse emphasizes applied dharma and sadācāra (right conduct) rather than a specific Vedāṅga technique; it cautions that learning or ritual status without character is insufficient.