Chapter 14 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 14

Valmiki Ramayana — Aranya Kanda

Verse 14.24

मुखतो ब्राह्मणो जाता उरसः क्षत्रियास्तथा। ऊरुभ्यां जज्ञिरे वैश्याः पद्भयां शूद्रा इति श्रुतिः॥

mukhato brāhmaṇo jātā urasaḥ kṣatriyāstathā| ūrubhyāṃ jajñire vaiśyāḥ padbhayāṃ śūdrā iti śrutiḥ||

English Meaning

From the mouth, it is known sprang Brahmanas, from the breast, Ksatriya, from the thighs, Vaisyas, and from the feet, Sudras.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)