Shloka 24
Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being
शूद्रस्य सन्नति: शौचं सेवा स्वामिन्यमायया । अमन्त्रयज्ञो ह्यस्तेयं सत्यं गोविप्ररक्षणम् ॥ २४ ॥
śūdrasya sannatiḥ śaucaṁ sevā svāminy amāyayā amantra-yajño hy asteyaṁ satyaṁ go-vipra-rakṣaṇam
Почтение к высшим сословиям, постоянная чистота, служение хозяину без лукавства, жертвоприношения без мантр, отсутствие воровства, правдивость и защита коров и брахманов—таковы признаки шудры.
It is everyone’s experience that workers or servants are generally accustomed to stealing. A first-class servant is one who does not steal. Here it is recommended that a first-class śūdra must remain very clean, must not steal or speak lies, and must always render service to his master. A śūdra may attend sacrifices and Vedic ritualistic ceremonies along with his master, but he should not utter the mantras, for these may be uttered only by the members of the higher sections of society. Unless one is completely pure and has been raised to the standard of a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya — in other words, unless one is dvija, twice-born — the chanting of mantras will not be fruitful.
FAQs
In Canto 7, Chapter 11, it says a śūdra should be humble and respectful, maintain cleanliness, and serve the master sincerely without deceit, along with truthfulness, non-stealing, and protecting cows and brāhmaṇas.
He was explaining varṇāśrama-dharma—how social and spiritual order supports devotion—by listing the qualities and practices suitable for each varṇa, including the śūdra.
Practice integrity at work (service without duplicity), keep personal habits clean, be truthful and honest, and support dharmic principles—especially respect for spiritual learning (brāhmaṇas) and compassionate protection of animals (cows).