Shloka 26
धर्मनिन्दा–धर्मोपासनाफलम् तथा साध्वाचारलक्षणम्
Fruits of Disparaging vs. Observing Dharma; Marks of Good Conduct
एभिस्तु कर्मभिददेवि शुभैराचरितैस्तथा । शूद्रो ब्राह्मणतां याति वैश्य: क्षत्रियतां व्रजेत्
ebhis tu karmabhir devi śubhair ācaritais tathā | śūdro brāhmaṇatāṃ yāti vaiśyaḥ kṣatriyatāṃ vrajet ||
مہادیو نے کہا: “اے دیوی! ایسے مبارک اعمال کو ٹھیک طریقے سے انجام دینے سے شودر برہمن کے مرتبے کو پا لیتا ہے اور ویشیہ کشتریہ کے درجے تک بلند ہو جاتا ہے۔”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that ethical and auspicious conduct (śubha-karman), when consistently practised, can elevate a person’s standing—emphasizing character and action over mere birth-based identity.
Maheśvara addresses the Devī and states a dharma principle: through properly performed virtuous deeds, one may attain a higher varṇa-status (e.g., a Śūdra becoming like a Brāhmaṇa, a Vaiśya becoming like a Kṣatriya), highlighting moral transformation as the basis of social and spiritual elevation.