Shloka 41
Brahmā’s Creation: The Kumāras, Rudra, the Prajāpatis, and the Manifestation of Vedic Sound
विद्या दानं तप: सत्यं धर्मस्येति पदानि च । आश्रमांश्च यथासंख्यमसृजत्सह वृत्तिभि: ॥ ४१ ॥
vidyā dānaṁ tapaḥ satyaṁ dharmasyeti padāni ca āśramāṁś ca yathā-saṅkhyam asṛjat saha vṛttibhiḥ
ବିଦ୍ୟା, ଦାନ, ତପ, ସତ୍ୟ—ଏହି ଚାରିଟି ଧର୍ମର ପାଦ; ଏଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ବୃତ୍ତି ସହ ଚାରି ଆଶ୍ରମକୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା କ୍ରମେ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କଲେ।
The nucleus of the four social orders — brahmacarya, or student life, gṛhastha, or householder family life, vānaprastha, or retired life for practicing penance, and sannyāsa, or renounced life for preaching the truth — is the four legs of religion. The vocational divisions are the brāhmaṇas, or the intelligent class, the kṣatriyas, or administrative class, the vaiśyas, or mercantile productive class, and the śūdras, or general laborer class who have no specific qualifications. All were systematically planned and created by Brahmā for the regular promotion of self-realization. Student life is meant for acquiring the best education; household family life is meant for gratifying the senses, provided it is performed with a charitable disposition of mind; retirement from household life is meant for penance, for advancement in spiritual life; and renounced life is meant for preaching the Absolute Truth to the people in general. The combined actions of all members of society make the whole situation favorable for the upliftment of the mission of human life. The beginning of this social institution is based on education meant for purifying the animal propensities of the human being. The highest purificatory process is knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the purest of the pure.
FAQs
This verse lists key limbs of dharma—spiritual knowledge, charity, austerity, and truthfulness—as principles manifested to uphold righteous living.
In the context of creation, Brahmā establishes ordered human life by creating the āśramas (stages of life) together with their corresponding duties and livelihoods, so society can progress in dharma.
Cultivate regular spiritual study (vidyā), practice generosity (dāna), accept disciplined habits that purify the mind (tapaḥ), and commit to honesty and integrity (satyam) in daily conduct.