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 ||
那罗陀说道：凡以恭敬之心礼拜祖灵与诸天，又敬奉师长与宾客，并敬护母牛、礼敬最上之再生者（婆罗门），且如敬母般敬重大地者——此等人实则唯在礼拜毗湿奴；因为毗湿奴以内在之我，安住于一切众生之身中。
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.