Shloka 12
Āśrama-dharma and Brahmacarya: Śuka’s Inquiry on Karma and Tyāga (शुक-प्रश्नः कर्मत्यागविवेकश्च)
याज्यत: शिष्यतो वापि कन््याया वा धनं महत् | यदा55गच्छेद् यजेद् दद्यान्नैको5श्रीयात् कथंचन
yājyataḥ śiṣyataḥ vāpi kanyāyā vā dhanaṃ mahat | yadā gacched yajed dadyān naiko 'śrīyāt kathaṃcana ||
ব্যাসে ক’লে—যজ্ঞ কৰোৱাৰ দক্ষিণা, শিষ্যৰ পৰা গুৰুদক্ষিণা, বা কন্যাশুল্ক—যি পথেই হওক, যেতিয়া কোনোবাই মহাধন লাভ কৰে, তেতিয়া সেই ধনেৰে যজ্ঞ কৰিব আৰু দান দিব; কোনোপধ্যেই একাই নিজৰ ভোগৰ বাবে সেই ধন উপভোগ নকৰিব।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth gained through socially and ritually significant channels (priestly fees, teaching remuneration, or marriage-related payments) should be redirected toward yajña and dāna, not hoarded or enjoyed selfishly; prosperity is to be shared and sanctified through duty.
In Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma, Vyāsa lays down a rule of conduct: when such wealth is obtained, the recipient should use it for sacrificial acts and charitable giving, avoiding exclusive personal enjoyment.