Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 27
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
देवि! इन्हीं शुभ कर्मों और आचरणोंसे शूद्र ब्राह्मणत्वको प्राप्त होता है और वैश्य क्षत्रियत्वको ।। शूद्रकर्माणि सर्वाणि यथान्यायं यथाविधि । शुश्रूषां परिचर्या च ज्येछ्ठे वर्णे प्रयत्नत:
Devi! imaiḥ śubha-karmabhiḥ ācāraṇaiś ca śūdro brāhmaṇatvaṁ prāpnoti vaiśyaś ca kṣatriyatvam. śūdra-karmāṇi sarvāṇi yathā-nyāyaṁ yathā-vidhi; śuśrūṣāṁ paricaryāṁ ca jyeṣṭhe varṇe prayatnataḥ.
Wika ni Maheshvara: “Diyosa, sa mga mapalad na gawa at disiplinadong asal na ito, ang isang Śūdra ay maaaring maging Brāhmaṇa, at ang isang Vaiśya ay maaaring maging Kṣatriya. Isagawa ang lahat ng tungkulin ng Śūdra ayon sa katarungan at sa itinakdang paraan—lalo na ang masusing paglilingkod at tapat na pag-aasikaso sa nakatatandang (mas mataas na) varṇa, na may taimtim na pagsisikap.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that ethical conduct and properly performed duties (ācāra and karma done yathā-nyāya and yathā-vidhi) are presented as a basis for social elevation—stressing disciplined service, propriety, and diligent effort as transformative.
Maheśvara addresses Devī, explaining norms of varṇa-dharma: he describes how certain auspicious actions and correct conduct, especially diligent service and attendance to seniors, are said to lead to attaining higher varṇa-status.