Adhyaya 28 — Alarka Inquires into Varna and Ashrama Dharma; Madalasa Defines the Fourfold Duties
तत्रैव वा गुरोर्गेहे द्विजो निष्ठामवाप्नुयात् ।
गुरोरभावे तत्पुत्रे तच्छिष्ये तత్సुतं विना ॥
tatraiva vā guror gehe dvijo niṣṭhām avāpnuyāt /
guror abhāve tatputre tacchiṣye tatsutaṃ vinā //
तत्रैव तस्मिन्नाश्रमे वा गुरुगृहे वा द्विजः स्वाध्यायव्रतस्य निष्ठां समाप्नuyāt। गुरौ तु अनुपस्थिते गुरुपुत्राधीनः, तदभावे गुरुशिष्याधीनः, ताननतिक्रम्य निष्ठां प्राप्नुयात्।
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Learning and discipline are safeguarded by legitimate mentorship. The text emphasizes continuity of authority (guru → son → disciple), discouraging self-authorized completion without recognized guidance.
Didactic dharma material (ācāra) rather than the cosmological five. It is an example of Purāṇas functioning as Dharma-śāstra-like instruction within narrative frames.
The ‘lineage of transmission’ symbolizes preservation of śruti/vidyā purity: knowledge ripens through humility and service, not merely personal effort.