Shanti Parva 294.1
Rahular Itihasa / M. N. Dutt · Shanti Parva Chapter 294 · Verse 1
Sanskrit Original
पराशर उवाच प्रतिग्रहागता विप्रे क्षत्रिये युधि निर्जिताः। वैश्य न्यायार्जिताश्चैव शूद्रे शुश्रूषयार्जिताः॥ स्वल्पाप्यर्थाः प्रशस्यन्ते धर्मस्यार्थे महाफलाः। नित्यं त्रयाणां वर्णानां शुश्रूषुः शूद्र उच्यते॥
Parashara said In the Brahmana, wealth gained by acceptance of gifts, in the Kshatriya that acquired by victory in battle, in the Vaishya that acquired by performing the duties laid down for his order, and in the Shudra that acquired by serving the three other orders, however small it may be, is worthy of praise, and when spent for the acquisition of virtue yields great benefits. The Shudra is said to be the constant servitor of the three other orders.