Shloka 12
Adhyāya 189: Japa—Inquiry into the Jāpaka, Method
Vidhi), and Fruit (Phala
गोभ्यो वृत्ति समास्थाय पीता: कृष्युपजीविन: । स्वधर्मान् नानुतिष्ठन्ति ते द्विजा वैश्यतां गता:
gobhyo vṛttiṃ samāsthāya pītāḥ kṛṣyupajīvinaḥ | svadharmān nānutiṣṭhanti te dvijā vaiśyatāṃ gatāḥ ||
भारद्वाज बोले— जो द्विज गौ-पालन और कृषि-कर्म से जीविका चलाने लगे, जिससे उनका वर्ण पीला पड़ गया, और जो अपने स्वधर्म का अनुष्ठान नहीं करते रहे— वे ब्राह्मण वैश्य-भाव को प्राप्त हुए।
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that varṇa-identity is tied to the performance of one’s prescribed dharma and customary livelihood: when a Brahmin abandons Brahminical duties and lives by cattle-rearing and agriculture, he is described as having entered the condition of a Vaiśya.
Bharadvāja is explaining a principle of social-ethical classification within the Śānti Parva’s discussions: he cites how certain twice-born, by adopting pastoral/agricultural livelihood and neglecting their own dharma, came to be regarded as Vaiśyas.