Shloka 31
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
यजते नित्ययज्ञैश्व स्वाध्यायपरम: शुचि: । दान्तो ब्राह्मणसत्कर्ता सर्ववर्णबुभूषक:
yajate nityayajñaiś ca svādhyāyaparamaḥ śuciḥ | dānto brāhmaṇasatkārtā sarvavarṇabubhūṣakaḥ ||
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच—वैश्यः शुचिः स्वाध्यायपरमः सन् नित्ययज्ञैर्नित्यं यजेत्। दान्तः ब्राह्मणान् सत्कुर्यात्, सर्ववर्णानां हितोन्नतिं चाभिलषेत्। एवं स्वाध्याय-दम-यज्ञधर्मनिष्ठया गृहस्थवृत्त्या स द्विजत्वयोग्यो भवति, शुद्धिं च प्राप्य उच्चतरां जन्मसम्पदं लभते।
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A Vaiśya should perfect household dharma through purity, daily sacrificial obligation, devotion to svādhyāya, self-restraint, and respectful service of Brāhmaṇas, while aiming at the welfare of all social orders; such conduct elevates and purifies him.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Śrī Maheśvara is giving prescriptive instruction on proper conduct (dharma). This verse outlines the ethical-ritual profile expected of a Vaiśya householder: continual yajña, study, restraint, and social responsibility.