yaḥ - who; pṛṣṭaḥ - being questioned; munibhiḥ - by the sages; prāha - spoke; dharmān - the duties; nānā-vidhān - many varieties; śubhān - auspicious; nṛṇām - of human society; varṇa-āśramāṇām - of the varṇas and āśramas; ca - and; sarva-bhūta - for all living beings; hitaḥ - who does welfare; sadā - always.

In reply to questions asked by certain sages, he [Svāyambhuva Manu], out of compassion for all living entities, taught the diverse sacred duties of men in general and the different varṇas and āśramas.