Smriti literature, especially the Dharmaśāstras such as Manusmṛti, sets forth a vision of social order in which each varna has a distinct sphere of duty, understood as its particular dharma. The four varnas—Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra—are presented as complementary, each sustaining a different aspect of religious, political, economic, and social life. These roles are not described merely as occupations, but as sacred responsibilities that uphold both social order and a larger cosmic balance. Alongside this differentiation, the texts also speak of shared ethical expectations, such as truthfulness, self-control, and purity, which are held to be binding on all.

For Brāhmaṇas, the Smritis emphasize a life centered on sacred knowledge and ritual. Their duties include studying and teaching the Veda, performing sacrificial rites for themselves and others, and giving and receiving gifts in a spirit of religious reciprocity. They are portrayed as preservers and interpreters of dharma, guiding society in spiritual and moral matters. The cultivation of qualities such as self-restraint, austerity, and moral and spiritual purity is repeatedly stressed, placing them at the apex of the hierarchy in terms of religious responsibility.

Kṣatriyas are entrusted with the burdens of rule and protection. Their dharma includes governing and administering justice, defending the realm, and maintaining law and order. They are expected to be courageous, to uphold dharma in the political sphere, and to support religious life through sacrifice and charity. While they may study sacred texts, their primary obligation is to wield power in a disciplined way, using force when necessary to safeguard the community and its moral framework.

Vaiśyas are assigned responsibility for the material prosperity of society. Their duties encompass agriculture, cattle rearing, trade, and lending money, as well as the broader management of economic activities. Generating and distributing wealth is framed as a religious obligation, since it sustains the other varnas and supports ritual, charity, and social stability. Through their work, they are expected to contribute to the overall well-being and economic balance of the realm.

Śūdras, in these texts, are primarily associated with service. Their prescribed role is to serve the three higher varnas through manual labor, crafts, and various forms of support. They are generally excluded from independent Vedic study and priestly functions, yet their service is still described as a form of dharma, a way of participating in the maintenance of the social order. Across all four varnas, the Smritis present a hierarchical but interdependent structure, in which faithfully performing one’s allotted duties is said to foster both social harmony and spiritual progress.