Shloka 49
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
स्वभाव: कर्म च शुभं॑ यत्र शूद्रेडपि तिष्ठति । विशिष्ट: स द्विजातेवें विज्ञेय इति मे मति:,मेरा तो ऐसा विचार है कि यदि शूद्रके स्वभाव और कर्म दोनों ही उत्तम हों तो वह द्विजातिसे भी बढ़कर माननेयोग्य है
svabhāvaḥ karma ca śubhaṁ yatra śūdre 'pi tiṣṭhati | viśiṣṭaḥ sa dvijātebhyo vijñeya iti me matiḥ ||
Śrī Maheśvara said: “Wherever a Śūdra is found to possess a noble disposition and noble conduct, he should be recognized as superior even to the twice-born—this is my considered view.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worth is measured by character (svabhāva) and conduct (karma), not merely by birth-status; a person of virtuous nature and deeds deserves higher regard even than the traditionally privileged twice-born.
Śrī Maheśvara is delivering a dharma-teaching within the Anuśāsana Parva, emphasizing ethical evaluation of persons by their qualities and actions, using the contrast between Śūdra and dvijāti as a moral illustration.