Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7
Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्राश्चत्वार एव ते । वर्णा इति समाख्याता एतेषु ब्राह्मणोऽधिकः ॥ ७ ॥
brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāścatvāra eva te | varṇā iti samākhyātā eteṣu brāhmaṇo'dhikaḥ || 7 ||
برہمن، کشتری، ویش اور شودر—یہی چار ہیں۔ انہیں ‘ورن’ کہا جاتا ہے؛ ان میں برہمن کو برتر مانا گیا ہے۔
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It frames dharma through the fourfold varṇa structure and emphasizes the primacy of the Brahmin as the custodian of Vedic study, teaching, and ritual purity—seen as foundational supports for spiritual order.
While the verse is primarily about social dharma, it implies that disciplined roles—especially Vedic learning and teaching—create the ethical and ritual framework within which Vishnu-bhakti and other spiritual practices can be pursued steadily.
Indirectly, it points to the Brahmin’s traditional responsibility for Vedāṅga-based competencies—such as Śikṣā (phonetics), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), and Kalpa (ritual procedure)—which preserve correct recitation and performance of Vedic rites.