Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 51
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
सर्वो<यं ब्राह्मणो लोके वृत्तेन तु विधीयते । वृत्ते स्थितस्तु शूद्रो5पि ब्राह्मणत्वं नियच्छति
sarvo ’yaṃ brāhmaṇo loke vṛttena tu vidhīyate | vṛtte sthitas tu śūdro ’pi brāhmaṇatvaṃ niyacchati ||
Wika ni Śrī Maheśvara: “Sa mundong ito, ang katayuan ng pamayanang Brahmana ay pinananatili ng asal at wastong pamumuhay (vṛtta) lamang. Maging ang isang Śūdra, kung matatag sa matuwid na asal, ay maaaring umabot sa kalagayang Brahmana.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Social and spiritual worth is grounded in vṛtta—ethical conduct and disciplined living—rather than merely in birth-status. Right conduct sustains the dignity of the Brahmin ideal, and the same conduct can elevate anyone who embodies it.
Śrī Maheśvara delivers a didactic statement within Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused discourse, emphasizing that moral behavior is the true criterion for recognized excellence and religious status.