Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 75
Rudra-Śiva: Names, Two Natures, and the Logic of Epithets (रुद्रनाम-बहुरूपत्व-प्रकरणम्)
सर्वातिथ्यं त्रिवर्गस्य यथाशक्ति निशानिशम् | शूद्रधर्म: समाख्यातस्त्रिवर्गपरिचारणम्
sarvātithyaṁ trivargasya yathāśakti niśāniśam | śūdradharmaḥ samākhyātas trivargaparicāraṇam ||
Sinabi ni Maheshvara: “Ang isang Shudra, ayon sa kanyang kakayahan, ay dapat patuloy—araw-araw—maghandog ng ganap na pagkamapagpatuloy at marangal na pagtanggap sa tatlong mas mataas na uri. Ang paglilingkod at pag-aasikaso sa mga Brahmin, Kshatriya, at Vaishya ang ipinahahayag na kanyang pangunahing dharma.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a Shudra’s primary dharma is continual service and respectful hospitality toward the three higher varṇas, performed within one’s means (yathāśakti), emphasizing humility, support, and social responsibility.
In Anushasana Parva’s dharma-instruction context, Maheshvara is expounding normative duties; here he defines the characteristic duty of the Shudra as ongoing hospitality and attendance upon Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.