Exposition of the Duties of the Four Varnas

Verse 1 (skanda.2.209.1)

नारद उवाच । भगवन्ब्रूहि मे धर्ममेकान्तं तव संमतम् । प्रीयते येन विश्वात्मा वासुदेवः स सर्वदा

nārada uvāca bhagavanbrūhi me dharmamekāntaṁ tava saṁmatam prīyate yena viśvātmā vāsudevaḥ sa sarvadā

Narada said: O Lord, tell me that exclusive dharma which is approved by you, by which Vasudeva, the Soul of the universe, is ever pleased.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.209.2)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । साधु पृष्टं त्वया ब्रह्मन्मतिस्ते विमला किल । मयि स्निग्धाय भक्ताय तुभ्यं गुह्यमपि ब्रुवे

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā brahmanmatiste vimalā kila mayi snigdhāya bhaktāya tubhyaṁ guhyamapi bruve

Shri Narayana said: Well have you asked, O brahmin; your mind is indeed pure. Since you are My affectionate devotee, I shall tell even this secret to you.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.209.3)

धर्म एष मया प्रोक्तः कल्पस्यादौ विवस्वते । तमेव कथये तुभ्यं सनातनमहं मुने

dharma eṣa mayā proktaḥ kalpasyādau vivasvate tameva kathaye tubhyaṁ sanātanamahaṁ mune

This eternal dharma was declared by Me to Vivasvan, the Sun, at the beginning of the Kalpa; that very same dharma, O sage, I now relate to you.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.209.4)

स्वधर्मज्ञानवैराग्यैः सह लक्ष्मीवदीश्वरे । तस्मिन्ननन्या भक्तिर्या धर्म एकान्तिकः स वै

svadharmajñānavairāgyaiḥ saha lakṣmīvadīśvare tasminnananyā bhaktiryā dharma ekāntikaḥ sa vai

That undivided devotion to the Lord -- offered together with knowledge and dispassion born of one's own duty, as Lakshmi offers hers -- is indeed the exclusive dharma.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.209.5)

तेनैवातिप्रसन्नः स्याद्गोलोकाधिपतिः स्वयम् । जायते स च भक्तोपि परिपूर्णमनोरथः

tenaivātiprasannaḥ syādgolokādhipatiḥ svayam jāyate sa ca bhaktopi paripūrṇamanorathaḥ

By that alone the Lord of Goloka Himself becomes exceedingly pleased, and that devotee too finds all his heart's desires fulfilled.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.209.6)

नारद उवाच । लक्षणानि बुभुत्सामि स्वधर्मादेः पृथक्पृथक् । शास्त्रयोनेरहं त्वत्तो वक्तुं तानि त्वमर्हसि

nārada uvāca lakṣaṇāni bubhutsāmi svadharmādeḥ pṛthakpṛthak śāstrayonerahaṁ tvatto vaktuṁ tāni tvamarhasi

Narada said: I wish to know the distinct marks of one's own dharma and the rest; O source of the scriptures, you alone are worthy to declare them to me.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.209.7)

निगमागमशास्त्राणां सर्वेषामपि सत्पते । मूलं त्वमेक एवासि येषु धर्मः सनातनः

nigamāgamaśāstrāṇāṁ sarveṣāmapi satpate mūlaṁ tvameka evāsi yeṣu dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

O Lord of the righteous, you alone are the root of all the Nigama and Agama scriptures, in which the eternal dharma is set forth.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.209.8)

त्वमेव साक्षाद्भगवान्वासुदेवोऽक्षरात्परः । श्रेयसे सर्वभूतानां वर्तसेऽत्र दयानिधिः

tvameva sākṣādbhagavānvāsudevo'kṣarātparaḥ śreyase sarvabhūtānāṁ vartase'tra dayānidhiḥ

You yourself are the Blessed Lord Vasudeva in person, beyond even the Imperishable; O treasury of compassion, you abide here for the welfare of all beings.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.209.9)

त्वत्तोऽन्ये तु स्वस्वभावगुणतन्त्रा ह्यजादयः । यथावन्न विजानीयुर्द्धर्मादींस्त्वमतो वद

tvatto'nye tu svasvabhāvaguṇatantrā hyajādayaḥ yathāvanna vijānīyurddharmādīṁstvamato vada

Others besides you, Brahma and the rest, being governed by their own inherent qualities, cannot truly know dharma and its kindred matters; therefore you alone should declare them.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.209.10)

स्कन्द उवाच । इति देवर्षिणा पृष्टो भगवान्धर्मनन्दनः । स्वधर्मादीन्क्रमेणैव कथयामास सर्ववित्

skanda uvāca iti devarṣiṇā pṛṣṭo bhagavāndharmanandanaḥ svadharmādīnkrameṇaiva kathayāmāsa sarvavit

Skanda said: Thus asked by the divine sage, the all-knowing Blessed Lord, the son of Dharma, related in due order one's own dharma and its kindred matters.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.209.11)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च सदाचारः पृथक्पृथक् । सामान्यः सविशेषश्च स्वधर्मः स उदीर्यते

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca varṇānāmāśramāṇāṁ ca sadācāraḥ pṛthakpṛthak sāmānyaḥ saviśeṣaśca svadharmaḥ sa udīryate

Shri Narayana said: The good conduct proper to each varna and each ashrama separately, both general and specific, is called one's own dharma.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.209.12)

नृणां साधारणं धर्मं सर्वेषामादितः शृणु । अहिंसा परमो धर्मस्तत्रादिम उदाहृतः

nṛṇāṁ sādhāraṇaṁ dharmaṁ sarveṣāmāditaḥ śṛṇu ahiṁsā paramo dharmastatrādima udāhṛtaḥ

Hear first the dharma common to all men. Non-violence is declared to be the supreme dharma, the first among these.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.209.13)

स्वमुख्यधर्मवृत्योरप्यद्रोहो मनसापि यः । सति गत्यन्तरे प्राणिमात्रस्यापीति सा मता

svamukhyadharmavṛtyorapyadroho manasāpi yaḥ sati gatyantare prāṇimātrasyāpīti sā matā

It is held that non-violence means causing no harm, even in thought, to any living being, when another course is open, even while pursuing one's own principal duty and occupation.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.209.14)

सत्या वाग्भूतमात्रस्य द्रोहो न स्याद्यया तथा । तपश्च शास्त्रविहितभोगसंकोचलक्षणम्

satyā vāgbhūtamātrasya droho na syādyayā tathā tapaśca śāstravihitabhogasaṁkocalakṣaṇam

Truthful speech is that by which harm comes to no being at all; and austerity is marked by the restraint of enjoyments as prescribed by scripture.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.209.15)

बाह्यमाभ्यन्तरं चेति द्विविधं शौचकर्म च । अनादानं परस्वस्य परोक्षं वा छलेन च

bāhyamābhyantaraṁ ceti dvividhaṁ śaucakarma ca anādānaṁ parasvasya parokṣaṁ vā chalena ca

Purity is of two kinds, external and internal; and non-stealing means never taking another's property, whether secretly or through deceit.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.209.16)

यथोचितं ब्रह्मचर्यकामलोभक्रुधां जयः । मुदा वित्तार्पणं पात्रे तुष्टिर्लब्धेन दैवतः

yathocitaṁ brahmacaryakāmalobhakrudhāṁ jayaḥ mudā vittārpaṇaṁ pātre tuṣṭirlabdhena daivataḥ

Celibacy as befits one's stage; conquest of desire, greed, and anger; joyful giving of wealth to a worthy recipient; and contentment with whatever comes by divine dispensation.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.209.17)

तीर्थे क्षेत्रे च यज्ञादौ चतुर्वर्गाप्तयेपि वा । आत्मनो वा परस्यापि सर्वथा घातवर्जनम्

tīrthe kṣetre ca yajñādau caturvargāptayepi vā ātmano vā parasyāpi sarvathā ghātavarjanam

At a sacred ford, a holy place, a sacrifice, or even for the sake of the four aims of life -- never at all taking life, whether one's own or another's.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.209.18)

जातिभ्रंशकराणां च कर्मणां परिवर्जनम् । पाणिपादोदरोपस्थवाचां संयमनं तथा

jātibhraṁśakarāṇāṁ ca karmaṇāṁ parivarjanam pāṇipādodaropasthavācāṁ saṁyamanaṁ tathā

Giving up acts that bring loss of caste; and likewise restraining the hands, feet, belly, organs of generation, and speech.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.209.19)

सर्वेषां व्यसनानां च वर्जनं मद्यमांसयोः । व्यभिचारान्निवृत्तिश्च कुलसद्धर्मपालनम्

sarveṣāṁ vyasanānāṁ ca varjanaṁ madyamāṁsayoḥ vyabhicārānnivṛttiśca kulasaddharmapālanam

Giving up every vice, and wine and meat as well; abstaining from adultery; and upholding the true dharma of one's own family.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.209.20)

एकादशीनां सर्वासां यमैः साकमुपोषणम् । हरेर्जन्मदिनानां च व्रताचरणमञ्जसा

ekādaśīnāṁ sarvāsāṁ yamaiḥ sākamupoṣaṇam harerjanmadinānāṁ ca vratācaraṇamañjasā

Fasting, together with the observances, on every Ekadashi; and diligently keeping the vows appointed for Hari's birth-anniversaries.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.209.21)

आर्जवं साधुसेवा च विभज्याऽन्नादिभोजनम् । भक्तिर्भगवतश्चेति धर्माः साधारणा नृणाम्

ārjavaṁ sādhusevā ca vibhajyā'nnādibhojanam bhaktirbhagavataśceti dharmāḥ sādhāraṇā nṛṇām

Straightforwardness, service to the good, sharing one's food before eating, and devotion to the Lord -- these are the duties common to all men.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.209.22)

ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशः शूद्रा वर्णाश्चत्वार ईरिताः । तेषां पृथक्पृथग्धर्मान्विशेषान्वच्मि ते मुने

brahmakṣatraviśaḥ śūdrā varṇāścatvāra īritāḥ teṣāṁ pṛthakpṛthagdharmānviśeṣānvacmi te mune

Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra -- these are declared to be the four varnas; O sage, I shall now tell you the specific duties of each.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.209.23)

शमो दमः क्षमा शौचमास्तिक्यं भक्तिरीशितुः । तपो ज्ञानं च विज्ञानं विप्रधर्मः स्वभावजः

śamo damaḥ kṣamā śaucamāstikyaṁ bhaktirīśituḥ tapo jñānaṁ ca vijñānaṁ vipradharmaḥ svabhāvajaḥ

Calmness, self-control, forgiveness, purity, faith, devotion to the Lord, austerity, knowledge, and realization -- these, born of his own nature, are the duties of the Brahmin.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.209.24)

शूरत्वं धैर्यमौदार्य बलं तेजः शरण्यता। गोविप्रसाधुरक्षेज्या धर्माः क्षत्रस्य कीर्त्तिताः

śūratvaṁ dhairyamaudārya balaṁ tejaḥ śaraṇyatā goviprasādhurakṣejyā dharmāḥ kṣatrasya kīrttitāḥ

Valor, fortitude, generosity, strength, vigor, readiness to shelter the refuge-seeking, protection of cows, brahmins, and the righteous, and the performance of sacrifice -- these are declared to be the duties of the Kshatriya.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.209.25)

राज्ञस्त्वेतेऽथ नीत्यैव प्रजानां परिपालनम् । धर्मसंस्थापनं भूमौ धर्मा दण्डार्हदण्डनम्

rājñastvete'tha nītyaiva prajānāṁ paripālanam dharmasaṁsthāpanaṁ bhūmau dharmā daṇḍārhadaṇḍanam

For the king specifically these too are duties: governing the subjects by statecraft, establishing dharma upon the earth, and duly punishing those who deserve punishment.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.209.26)

आस्तिक्यं दाननिष्ठा च साधुब्राह्मणसेवनम् । अतुष्टिरर्थोपचये धर्मा वैश्यस्य चोद्यमः

āstikyaṁ dānaniṣṭhā ca sādhubrāhmaṇasevanam atuṣṭirarthopacaye dharmā vaiśyasya codyamaḥ

Faith, devotion to charity, service to worthy brahmins, an unsatisfied urge to increase one's wealth, and enterprise -- these are the duties of the Vaishya.

Verse 27 (skanda.2.209.27)

द्विजातीनां च देवानां सेवा निष्कपटं गवाम् । विशेषधर्मः कथितः शूद्रस्य मुनिसत्तम

dvijātīnāṁ ca devānāṁ sevā niṣkapaṭaṁ gavām viśeṣadharmaḥ kathitaḥ śūdrasya munisattama

O best of sages, sincere service to the twice-born, to the gods, and to cows is declared to be the specific duty of the Shudra.

Verse 28 (skanda.2.209.28)

अध्यापनं याजनं च विशुद्धाच्च प्रतिग्रहः । विप्रस्य जीविका प्रोक्ता तत्रान्त्या त्वापदि स्मृता

adhyāpanaṁ yājanaṁ ca viśuddhācca pratigrahaḥ viprasya jīvikā proktā tatrāntyā tvāpadi smṛtā

Teaching, officiating at sacrifices, and accepting gifts from a pure source -- these are declared to be the Brahmin's livelihood; of these, the last is sanctioned only in times of distress.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.209.29)

याजनेऽध्यापने वापि दोषदर्शी द्विजोत्तमः । यस्तस्याऽन्यापि विहिता वृत्तिरस्ति चतुर्विधा

yājane'dhyāpane vāpi doṣadarśī dvijottamaḥ yastasyā'nyāpi vihitā vṛttirasti caturvidhā

For that best of the twice-born who sees fault in officiating at sacrifices or in teaching, another fourfold occupation is also prescribed.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.209.30)

शिलोञ्छ नित्ययाच्ञा च शालीनं चोचिता कृषिः । श्रेयसी पूर्वपूर्वाऽत्र ज्ञातव्या द्विजसत्तमैः

śiloñcha nityayācñā ca śālīnaṁ cocitā kṛṣiḥ śreyasī pūrvapūrvā'tra jñātavyā dvijasattamaiḥ

Gleaning scattered grain, regular begging, living on what comes unsought, and fitting agriculture -- of these the foremost of the twice-born should know each earlier one as more excellent than the next.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.209.31)

विप्रो जीवेद्वैश्यवृत्त्या सत्यामापदि नारद । अथ वा क्षत्रवृत्त्यापि श्ववृत्त्या न तु कर्हिचित्

vipro jīvedvaiśyavṛttyā satyāmāpadi nārada atha vā kṣatravṛttyāpi śvavṛttyā na tu karhicit

O Narada, in times of distress a Brahmin may live by the occupation of a Vaishya, or even of a Kshatriya, but never at all by a degrading, dog-like occupation.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.209.32)

शस्त्रेण जीवेत्क्षत्रं तु सर्वतो धर्मरक्षया । आपन्नो वैश्यवृत्त्यैव विप्ररूपेण वा चरेत्

śastreṇa jīvetkṣatraṁ tu sarvato dharmarakṣayā āpanno vaiśyavṛttyaiva viprarūpeṇa vā caret

The Kshatriya should live by the sword, guarding dharma in every way; and in distress he may live by the occupation of a Vaishya, or even conduct himself after the manner of a Brahmin.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.209.33)

करादानादिनृपतेरविप्राद्वृत्तिरीरिता । देशकालानुसारेण रञ्जयित्वाऽखिलाः प्रजाः

karādānādinṛpateraviprādvṛttirīritā deśakālānusāreṇa rañjayitvā'khilāḥ prajāḥ

For a non-Brahmin king, livelihood is declared through the collection of taxes and the like, keeping all his subjects content according to time and place.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.209.34)

आपत्कालेपि क्षत्रस्य ब्राह्मणस्येव सर्वथा । विगर्हिता नीचसेवा स्वतेजःक्षयकारिणी

āpatkālepi kṣatrasya brāhmaṇasyeva sarvathā vigarhitā nīcasevā svatejaḥkṣayakāriṇī

Even in times of distress, for the Kshatriya as for the Brahmin, service to the base is wholly condemned, since it destroys one's own inner vigor.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.209.35)

कृषिवाणिज्यगोरक्षा तुरीया वृद्धिजीवनम् । वैश्यस्य जीविका प्रोक्ता शूद्रवृत्तिस्तथापदि

kṛṣivāṇijyagorakṣā turīyā vṛddhijīvanam vaiśyasya jīvikā proktā śūdravṛttistathāpadi

Agriculture, trade, protection of cattle, and fourthly, lending at interest -- these are declared to be the Vaishya's livelihood; and in distress he may resort even to the Shudra's occupation.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.209.36)

शूद्रो जीवेद्द्विजातीनां सेवालब्धधनेन च । आपत्काले तु कार्वादेर्जीविकावृत्तिमाश्रयेत्

śūdro jīveddvijātīnāṁ sevālabdhadhanena ca āpatkāle tu kārvāderjīvikāvṛttimāśrayet

The Shudra should live by the wealth earned in service to the twice-born; but in times of distress he may take up crafts and the like as his livelihood.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.209.37)

आपन्मुक्तस्तु सर्वोपि प्रायश्चित्तं यथोचितम् । विधाय स्वस्ववृत्त्यैव पुनर्वर्त्तेत मुख्यया

āpanmuktastu sarvopi prāyaścittaṁ yathocitam vidhāya svasvavṛttyaiva punarvartteta mukhyayā

When freed from distress, everyone, having duly performed atonement, should return once more to his own principal occupation.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.209.38)

चातुर्वर्ण्यं सतां संगं कुर्यान्न त्वसतां क्वचित् । मुक्तिप्रदोस्ति सत्संगः कुसंगो निरयप्रदः

cāturvarṇyaṁ satāṁ saṁgaṁ kuryānna tvasatāṁ kvacit muktipradosti satsaṁgaḥ kusaṁgo nirayapradaḥ

All four varnas should keep company only with the good, never at all with the wicked; for the company of the good bestows liberation, while bad company leads to hell.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.209.39)

कामं क्रोधं रसास्वादं जित्वा मानं च मत्सरम् । निर्दम्भं विष्णुभक्ता ये ते सन्तः साधवो मताः

kāmaṁ krodhaṁ rasāsvādaṁ jitvā mānaṁ ca matsaram nirdambhaṁ viṣṇubhaktā ye te santaḥ sādhavo matāḥ

Those devotees of Vishnu who, having conquered desire, anger, taste for sense-pleasure, pride, and envy, remain free of pretense -- these alone are held to be the good and the righteous.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.209.40)

स्त्रियां स्त्रैणे रसास्वादे सक्ताश्च धनगृध्नवः । हिंस्रा दम्भकृताटोपा भक्ताभासा ह्यसाधवः

striyāṁ straiṇe rasāsvāde saktāśca dhanagṛdhnavaḥ hiṁsrā dambhakṛtāṭopā bhaktābhāsā hyasādhavaḥ

Those attached to women, to indulgence, and to sensory pleasure, greedy for wealth, violent, and given to hypocritical show, are but a semblance of devotees, and in truth are not righteous at all.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.209.41)

असाधुष्वासुरी संपद्दैवी संपत्तु साधुषु । सहजास्तीति निश्चित्य सेव्या सन्तः सुखेप्सुभिः

asādhuṣvāsurī saṁpaddaivī saṁpattu sādhuṣu sahajāstīti niścitya sevyā santaḥ sukhepsubhiḥ

In the wicked the demonic nature dwells naturally, and in the good the divine nature dwells naturally; knowing this for certain, those who desire happiness should devote themselves to the good.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.209.42)

यादृशां यस्य संगः स्याच्छास्त्राणां वा नृणामपि । बुद्धिः स्यात्तादृशी तस्य कार्योऽतो नासतां हि सः

yādṛśāṁ yasya saṁgaḥ syācchāstrāṇāṁ vā nṛṇāmapi buddhiḥ syāttādṛśī tasya kāryo'to nāsatāṁ hi saḥ

As is the company one keeps, whether of scriptures or of men, so does one's understanding become; therefore one should never keep company with the wicked.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.209.43)

ये साधुसेवारुचयः पुरुषा निजशक्तितः । अप्राप्यं नास्ति तेषां वै किमप्यैश्वर्यमूर्जितम्

ye sādhusevārucayaḥ puruṣā nijaśaktitaḥ aprāpyaṁ nāsti teṣāṁ vai kimapyaiśvaryamūrjitam

For those men who, to the best of their power, delight in the service of the good, there is no mighty prosperity whatsoever beyond their reach.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.209.44)

स्वधर्मस्था अपि सतां द्रोहिणो ये तु मानवाः । सद्गतिं नैव ते यान्ति क्वापि केनापि कर्मणा

svadharmasthā api satāṁ drohiṇo ye tu mānavāḥ sadgatiṁ naiva te yānti kvāpi kenāpi karmaṇā

Those men who, though established in their own dharma, are hostile to the good, attain the good state by no deed whatsoever.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.209.45)

महापूजारता विष्णोर्भक्ता अपि सतां यदि । द्रोहं कुर्युस्तदा तेषु न प्रसीदति स क्वचित्

mahāpūjāratā viṣṇorbhaktā api satāṁ yadi drohaṁ kuryustadā teṣu na prasīdati sa kvacit

Even devotees absorbed in the great worship of Vishnu, if they wrong the good, are never at all pleasing to Him.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.209.46)

सद्द्रोहिणस्तु देहान्ते यांयां योनिं ब्रजन्ति च । तत्रतत्र क्षुधारोगैः पीड्यन्ते जीवितावधि

saddrohiṇastu dehānte yāṁyāṁ yoniṁ brajanti ca tatratatra kṣudhārogaiḥ pīḍyante jīvitāvadhi

Those who wrong the good, in whatever womb they come to be born after death, are tormented there throughout their life by hunger and disease.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.209.47)

सतामतिक्रमादेव पुण्यानां महतामपि । सद्यः क्षयः स्यात्सर्वेषामायुषः संपदामपि

satāmatikramādeva puṇyānāṁ mahatāmapi sadyaḥ kṣayaḥ syātsarveṣāmāyuṣaḥ saṁpadāmapi

By the mere transgression against the good, all great merit, together with lifespan and prosperity, is instantly destroyed.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.209.48)

तस्मात्सेवा सतां कार्या सर्वैरपि सुखेप्सुभिः । पुण्यतीर्थानि सेव्यानि पूज्या विप्राश्च धेनवः

tasmātsevā satāṁ kāryā sarvairapi sukhepsubhiḥ puṇyatīrthāni sevyāni pūjyā viprāśca dhenavaḥ

Therefore all who desire happiness should serve the good; sacred fords should be resorted to, and brahmins and cows should be honoured.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.209.49)

तीर्थानि देवप्रतिमा निन्देयुर्ये कुबुद्धयः । तेषां तु जारजातानां वंशोच्छेदो भवेद्ध्रुवम्

tīrthāni devapratimā nindeyurye kubuddhayaḥ teṣāṁ tu jārajātānāṁ vaṁśocchedo bhaveddhruvam

Those of wicked mind who revile sacred fords or the images of the gods -- the lineage of such people, born of unchastity, is certain to be cut off entirely.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.209.50)

एकस्मिंस्तर्पिते विप्रे सद्भोज्यैर्दक्षिणादिभिः । तर्पितं स्याज्जगत्सर्वं हरिस्तुष्यति च स्वयम्

ekasmiṁstarpite vipre sadbhojyairdakṣiṇādibhiḥ tarpitaṁ syājjagatsarvaṁ haristuṣyati ca svayam

When a single Brahmin is satisfied with good food, gifts, and the like, the whole world thereby becomes satisfied, and Hari Himself is pleased.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.209.51)

एकस्मिन्ब्राह्मणे द्रुग्धे द्रुग्धं स्यात्सकलं जगत्। तस्माच्छक्त्या पूजनीया ब्राह्मणा विष्णुरूपिणः

ekasminbrāhmaṇe drugdhe drugdhaṁ syātsakalaṁ jagat tasmācchaktyā pūjanīyā brāhmaṇā viṣṇurūpiṇaḥ

Wronging a single Brahmin is wronging the entire world; therefore brahmins, who are forms of Vishnu, should be honoured to the best of one's ability.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.209.52)

गवामंगेषु तिष्ठन्ति सर्वे देवगणा अपि। तथा सर्वाणि तीर्थानि तासु तिष्ठन्ति सर्वदा

gavāmaṁgeṣu tiṣṭhanti sarve devagaṇā api tathā sarvāṇi tīrthāni tāsu tiṣṭhanti sarvadā

In the limbs of cows dwell all the hosts of gods; and in them likewise dwell, always, all the sacred fords.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.209.53)

गव्यर्च्चितायामेकस्यां सर्वे देवाः समर्च्चिताः । कृतानि स्युश्च सर्वाणि तीर्थान्यपि च नारद

gavyarccitāyāmekasyāṁ sarve devāḥ samarccitāḥ kṛtāni syuśca sarvāṇi tīrthānyapi ca nārada

O Narada, when a single cow is worshipped, all the gods are thereby worshipped, and all the sacred fords too are thereby honoured.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.209.54)

एकस्या अपि गोर्द्रोहे कृते क्वापि प्रमादतः । द्रुग्धाः स्युर्देवताः सर्वास्तीर्थान्यपि च कृत्स्नशः

ekasyā api gordrohe kṛte kvāpi pramādataḥ drugdhāḥ syurdevatāḥ sarvāstīrthānyapi ca kṛtsnaśaḥ

If, through carelessness, wrong is done even to a single cow, then all the gods and all the sacred fords are wholly wronged by it as well.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.209.55)

तस्माच्चातुर्वर्ण्य जनैर्यथोक्तविधिसंस्थितैः । भवितव्यं प्रयत्नेन त्रेतव्यं च निषेधतः

tasmāccāturvarṇya janairyathoktavidhisaṁsthitaiḥ bhavitavyaṁ prayatnena tretavyaṁ ca niṣedhataḥ

Therefore people of the four varnas, remaining established in the rules as declared, should conduct themselves diligently, and should guard themselves by observing the prohibitions laid down.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.209.56)

चातुर्वर्ण्येतरे ये तु तेषां वृत्तिः कुलोचिता । चौर्यहिंसाद्यधर्मेण रहितैव हितावहा

cāturvarṇyetare ye tu teṣāṁ vṛttiḥ kulocitā cauryahiṁsādyadharmeṇa rahitaiva hitāvahā

For those who stand outside the four varnas, an occupation befitting their own community, free from unrighteousness such as theft and violence, is what brings them benefit.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.209.57)

वर्णधर्मा इति प्रोक्ताः संक्षेपेण मया मुने । चतुर्णामाश्रमाणां च धर्मानथ वदामि ते

varṇadharmā iti proktāḥ saṁkṣepeṇa mayā mune caturṇāmāśramāṇāṁ ca dharmānatha vadāmi te

O sage, thus have I declared to you in brief the duties of the varnas; now I shall tell you the duties of the four ashramas.