Shloka 26
अव्यक्त-गुण-पुरुषविवेकः | Avyakta, Guṇas, and Discrimination of Puruṣa
वणिक्ययथं द्विजं क्षत्रं वैश्यशूद्रांस्तथैव च । दानं च विविधाकारं दीनान्धकृपणादिषु
vaṇig yathāṁ dvijaṁ kṣatraṁ vaiśyaśūdrāṁs tathaiva ca | dānaṁ ca vividhākāraṁ dīnāndhakṛpaṇādiṣu ||
कधी तो तो वणिकासारखा व्यापार करतो, कधी ब्राह्मण व क्षत्रियांचे कर्तव्य पाळतो, आणि कधी वैश्य व शूद्रांचे कर्मही स्वीकारतो. दीन-दुःखी, अंध, कृपण इत्यादींना तो नाना प्रकारचे दान देतो.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights adaptability in livelihood and conduct across social roles, while emphasizing dāna (charitable giving) as a consistent ethical duty—especially toward the vulnerable (the destitute, afflicted, and helpless).
Vasiṣṭha is describing a person’s varied modes of action—sometimes trading, sometimes adopting the duties associated with different varṇas—and notes that he practices diverse forms of charity directed to those in need.