Shloka 26
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
ये यजन्ति पितृन् देवान् गुरूंश्वैवातिथींस्तथा । गाश्चैव द्विजमुख्यांश्ष पृथिवीं मातरं यथा
ye yajanti pitṝn devān gurūṁś caivātithīṁs tathā | gāś caiva dvijamukhyāṁś ca pṛthivīṁ mātaraṁ yathā ||
ナーラダは言った。祖霊と神々を敬って礼拝し、また師と客人を敬い、さらに牛を尊び、再生者のうち最勝の婆羅門を敬い、大地を母のごとく崇める者—その人は真実、ただヴィシュヌのみを礼拝している。なぜならヴィシュヌは、あらゆる生きものの身体の内に、内なる自己として住しておられるからである。
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worship of Viṣṇu is expressed through dharmic conduct: honoring ancestors and gods, serving teachers, welcoming guests, protecting cows, respecting exemplary Brāhmaṇas, and treating the earth like one’s mother—because Viṣṇu dwells as the inner Self in all beings.
In Śānti Parva, Nārada instructs on dharma by redefining devotion: he links common social and ritual obligations (pitṛs, devas, guru, atithi, cows, the learned, and the earth) to a single theological principle—service to them is ultimately service to Viṣṇu present within all.