Shloka 2
अध्याय २९४ — योगलक्षणम् तथा सांख्यपरिसंख्यानम्
Yoga Definition and Sāṃkhya Enumeration
नित्यं त्रयाणां वर्णानां शुश्रूषु: शूद्र उच्यते
nityaṁ trayāṇāṁ varṇānāṁ śuśrūṣuḥ śūdra ucyate
नित्यं त्रयाणां वर्णानां शुश्रूषुः शूद्र उच्यते ।
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines the Śūdra’s role as continual service to the three higher varṇas, and (in the surrounding explanation) uses this to argue that a Brāhmaṇa’s ethical ‘fall’ is linked not merely to earning a living, but to adopting a different varṇa’s defining duty—especially service—as one’s own dharma.
In Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, Parāśara is instructing on dharma and social order. This verse occurs within a discussion of varṇa-based duties and permissible means of livelihood under necessity, distinguishing between temporary livelihood strategies and a full adoption of another varṇa’s prescribed role.