Shloka 49
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
स्वभाव: कर्म च शुभं॑ यत्र शूद्रेडपि तिष्ठति । विशिष्ट: स द्विजातेवें विज्ञेय इति मे मति:,मेरा तो ऐसा विचार है कि यदि शूद्रके स्वभाव और कर्म दोनों ही उत्तम हों तो वह द्विजातिसे भी बढ़कर माननेयोग्य है
svabhāvaḥ karma ca śubhaṁ yatra śūdre 'pi tiṣṭhati | viśiṣṭaḥ sa dvijātebhyo vijñeya iti me matiḥ ||
Sabi ni Śrī Maheśvara: “Saanman matagpuan ang isang Śūdra na may marangal na likas at marangal na gawa, dapat siyang kilalaning higit na natatangi maging kaysa sa dvija—iyan ang aking pasyang pagtingin.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worth is measured by character (svabhāva) and conduct (karma), not merely by birth-status; a person of virtuous nature and deeds deserves higher regard even than the traditionally privileged twice-born.
Śrī Maheśvara is delivering a dharma-teaching within the Anuśāsana Parva, emphasizing ethical evaluation of persons by their qualities and actions, using the contrast between Śūdra and dvijāti as a moral illustration.