Shloka 186
Adhyāya 70: Sātyaki’s Arrow-Display and the Bhūriśravas Engagement; Twilight Withdrawal
वैश्यांश्वाप्यूरूतो राजन् शूद्रान् वै पादतस्तथा । इन कमलनयन भगवान्से बढ़कर दूसरा कोई तत्त्व न हुआ है
vaiśyāṁś cāpy ūrutaḥ rājan śūdrān vai pādataḥ tathā |
毗湿摩说道：“大王啊，祂由大腿生出吠舍，由双足亦生出首陀罗。如此，那莲华眼、至上的主，从自身显现四姓：婆罗门出于口，刹帝利出于双臂，吠舍出于大腿，首陀罗出于双足。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the four varṇas as originating from a single divine source, framing social duties as parts of an overarching cosmic dharma; it encourages respect for the ethical order and role-based responsibilities within society.
Bhīṣma is instructing the king on dharma and the structure of society, explaining a traditional cosmological account in which the Lord manifests Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras from different parts of His body.