Shloka 26
Nāga–Nāgabhāryā Saṃvāda: Varṇa-Dharma, Gṛhastha-Discipline, and Mokṣa-Self-Inquiry
Mahābhārata 12.347
ये यजन्ति पितृन् देवान् गुरूंश्वैवातिथींस्तथा । गाश्चैव द्विजमुख्यांश्ष पृथिवीं मातरं यथा
ye yajanti pitṝn devān gurūṁś caivātithīṁs tathā | gāś caiva dvijamukhyāṁś ca pṛthivīṁ mātaraṁ yathā ||
Sinabi ni Nārada: Ang sinumang may paggalang na sumasamba sa mga diyos at sa mga Pitṛ, at gayundin ay nagpaparangal sa guro at sa panauhin; na gumagalang din sa mga baka, sa pinakadakila sa mga dvija, at sa lupa na parang sariling ina—ang gayong tao ay tunay na sumasamba lamang kay Panginoong Viṣṇu; sapagkat si Viṣṇu ay nananahan bilang panloob na Sarili sa katawan ng lahat ng nilalang.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worship of Viṣṇu is expressed through dharmic conduct: honoring ancestors and gods, serving teachers, welcoming guests, protecting cows, respecting exemplary Brāhmaṇas, and treating the earth like one’s mother—because Viṣṇu dwells as the inner Self in all beings.
In Śānti Parva, Nārada instructs on dharma by redefining devotion: he links common social and ritual obligations (pitṛs, devas, guru, atithi, cows, the learned, and the earth) to a single theological principle—service to them is ultimately service to Viṣṇu present within all.