Bhagavatapurana 1.4.25

1.4.25

strīśūdradvijabandhūnāṃ trayī na śrutigocarā /
karmaśreyasi mūḍhānāṃ śreya evaṃ bhavediha /
iti bhāratam ākhyānaṃ kṛpayā muninā kṛtam //

25. Seeing that the Vedas are not directly to be heard and studied by women, Sudras and fallen Brahmins, the sage has graciously written the Itihasa (Bharata) that those who are in this life ignorant of the course of duty leading to the final beatitude may thereby attain it.