Shloka 7
Agastya-Māhātmya and Vasiṣṭha’s Protection of the Ādityas
Khalina Daityas; Sarayū Etiology
शूद्रस्य कर्मनिष्ठायां विकर्मस्थोडपि पच्यते । ब्राह्मण: क्षत्रियो वैश्यो विकर्मस्थश्न पच्यते
śūdrasya karmanisṭhāyāṁ vikarmastho ’pi pacyate | brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyo vikarmasthaś ca na pacyate ||
毗湿摩说道：“即便首陀罗坚守其本分之业，若陷于毗迦摩（vikarma，禁行），亦要受罚。然婆罗门、刹帝利或吠舍若安住于毗迦摩，并非仅因牵连首陀罗之业便被‘烹煮’于地狱；关键在于守持自身之法（dharma）抑或越轨犯禁。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts steadfastness in prescribed duty (svakarma/varṇa-dharma) with vikarma (prohibited conduct), warning that transgression brings suffering; ethical accountability is framed in terms of following one’s ordained duties and avoiding forbidden actions.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhīṣma is instructing Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he discusses consequences of vikarma and the importance of remaining established in one’s proper duties, using varṇa categories as the framework for the teaching.