Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline
भृगुरुवाच । न विशेषोऽस्ति वर्णानां सर्वं ब्रह्ममयं जगत् । ब्रह्मणा पूर्वसृष्टं हि कर्मणा वर्णतां गतम् ॥ ५६ ॥
bhṛguruvāca | na viśeṣo'sti varṇānāṃ sarvaṃ brahmamayaṃ jagat | brahmaṇā pūrvasṛṣṭaṃ hi karmaṇā varṇatāṃ gatam || 56 ||
ภฤคุกล่าวว่า—วรรณะทั้งหลายไม่มีความแตกต่างโดยเนื้อแท้ เพราะโลกทั้งปวงนี้เป็นพรหมมยะ สิ่งที่พรหมาสร้างไว้แต่แรก ย่อมถูกเรียกว่า ‘วรรณะ’ ก็ด้วยกรรมเท่านั้น
Bhṛgu
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It asserts a Brahman-centered vision: all beings and the world are essentially Brahman, so varṇa is not an absolute spiritual hierarchy; distinctions arise at the level of conduct (karma), while the Self is non-different.
By grounding identity in Brahman rather than birth-status, it supports the bhakti principle that sincere devotion and righteous conduct are decisive; spiritual worth is measured by lived dharma and inner realization, not mere social label.
It points to dharma-vicāra (ethical discernment) rather than a technical Vedāṅga: varṇa is to be understood through karma (one’s actual duties and qualities), guiding practical social-religious conduct and ritual eligibility by behavior.