Shloka 31
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
यजते नित्ययज्ञैश्व स्वाध्यायपरम: शुचि: । दान्तो ब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता सर्ववर्णबुभूषक:
yajate nityayajñaiś ca svādhyāyaparamaḥ śuciḥ | dānto brāhmaṇasatkārtā sarvavarṇabubhūṣakaḥ ||
Śrī Maheśvara bersabda: “Hendaklah seorang Vaiśya, dengan kemurnian diri dan ketekunan dalam svādhyāya (telaah suci), senantiasa bersembahyang melalui yajña harian. Dengan pengendalian indria, ia hendaknya menghormati serta melayani para Brāhmaṇa, dan menghendaki kesejahteraan serta kemajuan semua varṇa. Dengan laku rumah tangga yang berakar pada studi, pengekangan diri, dan kewajiban kurban suci, ia menjadi layak menyandang martabat ‘dvija’, memperoleh kesucian, dan meraih kelahiran yang luhur.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A Vaiśya should perfect household dharma through purity, daily sacrificial obligation, devotion to svādhyāya, self-restraint, and respectful service of Brāhmaṇas, while aiming at the welfare of all social orders; such conduct elevates and purifies him.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Śrī Maheśvara is giving prescriptive instruction on proper conduct (dharma). This verse outlines the ethical-ritual profile expected of a Vaiśya householder: continual yajña, study, restraint, and social responsibility.