Shloka 186
Adhyāya 70: Sātyaki’s Arrow-Display and the Bhūriśravas Engagement; Twilight Withdrawal
वैश्यांश्वाप्यूरूतो राजन् शूद्रान् वै पादतस्तथा । इन कमलनयन भगवान्से बढ़कर दूसरा कोई तत्त्व न हुआ है
vaiśyāṁś cāpy ūrutaḥ rājan śūdrān vai pādataḥ tathā |
Wahai Raja! Dari paha-Nya Ia melahirkan kaum Vaiśya, dan dari kaki-Nya pula kaum Śūdra. Demikianlah Tuhan Yang Mahatinggi, bermata laksana teratai, menampakkan empat varṇa dari tubuh-Nya sendiri: Brāhmaṇa dari mulut, Kṣatriya dari kedua lengan, Vaiśya dari paha, dan Śūdra dari kaki.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the four varṇas as originating from a single divine source, framing social duties as parts of an overarching cosmic dharma; it encourages respect for the ethical order and role-based responsibilities within society.
Bhīṣma is instructing the king on dharma and the structure of society, explaining a traditional cosmological account in which the Lord manifests Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras from different parts of His body.