Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18
Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च द्विजोत्तमा । क्रियाः सामान्यतो वक्ष्ये तच्छृणुष्व समाहितः ॥ १८ ॥
brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ śūdrāṇāṃ ca dvijottamā | kriyāḥ sāmānyato vakṣye tacchṛṇuṣva samāhitaḥ || 18 ||
ஓ இருமுறை பிறந்தோரில் சிறந்தவனே! பிராமணர், க்ஷத்திரியர், வைசியர், சூத்ரர்—இவர்களுக்கான பொதுக் கடமைகள் மற்றும் அனுஷ்டானங்களை இப்போது கூறுகிறேன்; மனத்தை ஒருமுகப்படுத்தி கேள்।
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It establishes a Dharma-framework: before detailing specific observances, the text signals that righteous action (kriyā) can be taught in a shared, broadly applicable way to all varṇas, to be heard with mental steadiness (samāhita).
Indirectly: it prepares the listener for structured practices that support purity and steadiness—conditions traditionally seen as favorable for sustained devotion, including Vishnu-bhakti, even when the duties differ by social role.
Ritual orientation (kriyā) is foregrounded: the verse introduces a systematic presentation of duties and observances, which typically rely on Vedāṅga supports like Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Śikṣā (correct recitation) even when taught in a “general” form.