Shloka 326
तथा वैश्ये च शूद्रे च पाद: पादो विधीयते । ब्राह्मणके लिये चारों पादोंसे युक्त सम्पूर्ण धर्मके पालनका विधान है। तात्पर्य यह कि वह शौचाचार या आत्मशुद्धिके लिये किये जानेवाले प्रायश्चित्तका पूरा-पूरा पालन करे। क्षत्रियके लिये एक पाद कमका विधान है। इसी तरह वैश्यके लिये उसके दो पाद और शूद्रके लिये एक पादके पालनकी विधि है। (उदाहरणके तौरपर जहाँ ब्राह्मणके लिये चार दिन उपवासका विधान हो, वहाँ क्षत्रियके लिये तीन दिन, वैश्यके लिये दो दिन और शाूद्रके लिये एक दिनके उपवासका विधान समझना चाहिये)
tathā vaiśye ca śūdre ca pādaḥ pādo vidhīyate |
Vyāsa said: In the case of the Vaiśya and the Śūdra as well, the observance is prescribed by ‘quarters’ (pādas). The intent is that the full, fourfold measure of dharma—especially in purificatory conduct and expiations undertaken for inner and outer cleanliness—is required of a Brāhmaṇa; for a Kṣatriya one quarter is reduced; for a Vaiśya two quarters are reduced; and for a Śūdra three quarters are reduced. Thus, where a four-day fast is enjoined for a Brāhmaṇa, it is to be understood as three days for a Kṣatriya, two for a Vaiśya, and one for a Śūdra.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches proportionality in dharmic observances—especially expiations and purificatory disciplines—according to varṇa, expressed as ‘quarters’ (pādas): full measure for a Brāhmaṇa, then progressively reduced measures for Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra.
In the didactic setting of Śānti Parva, Vyāsa lays down a rule of graded prescription: the same expiatory act (such as fasting) is not uniformly imposed on all, but adjusted in duration/extent by varṇa, illustrated through the example of four, three, two, and one day(s) of fasting.