Shloka 13
भूमिभार-निवारणप्रसङ्गः (Bhūmibhāra-nivāraṇa-prasaṅgaḥ) — The Motif of Relieving Earth’s Burden
ऋत्विग्भ्य:ः ससदस्ये भ्यो ये तत्रासन् समागता: । तेभ्यश्व प्रददौ वित्त शशशो5थ सहस्रश:,निमित्तं ब्राह्मण इति तस्मै वित्तं ददौ बहु । दत्त्वा द्रव्यं यथान्यायं भोजनाच्छादनान्वितम् लोहिताक्ष, सूत तथा शिल्पीको, जिसने यज्ञके पहले ही बता दिया था कि इस सर्पसत्रको बंद करनेमें एक ब्राह्मण निमित्त बनेगा, प्रभावशाली राजा जनमेजयने बहुत धन दिया। जिनके पराक्रमकी कहीं तुलना नहीं है, उन नरेश्वर जनमेजयने प्रसन्न होकर यथायोग्य द्रव्य और भोजन-वस्त्र आदिका दान करनेके पश्चात् शास्त्रीय विधिके अनुसार अवभृथ-स्नान किया
ṛtvigbhyaḥ sa-sadasyebhyo ye tatrāsan samāgatāḥ | tebhyaś ca pradadau vittaṃ śaśaśo ’tha sahasraśaḥ | nimittaṃ brāhmaṇa iti tasmai vittaṃ dadau bahu | dattvā dravyaṃ yathā-nyāyaṃ bhojanācchādanānvitam avabhṛthaṃ tataḥ śāstrīya-vidhinā kṛtavān |
Śaunaka said: To the officiating priests and the learned members of the assembly gathered there, he distributed wealth—indeed in thousands. And to that brāhmaṇa who had foretold that a brāhmaṇa would become the occasion for bringing this serpent-sacrifice to a close, he gave abundant riches. Having duly bestowed gifts in accordance with rule—together with provisions of food and clothing—King Janamejaya, pleased and unrivalled in prowess, then performed the concluding avabhṛtha bath as prescribed by the śāstras.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kingship expressed through regulated generosity: a ruler completes a major rite by honoring priests and the learned assembly with appropriate gifts, and by following śāstric procedure (including the avabhṛtha bath). Ethical emphasis falls on giving 'yathā-nyāya'—not merely lavishly, but rightly and in due order.
During Janamejaya’s serpent-sacrifice, he distributes wealth in large amounts to the officiants and attendees. He also rewards the Brahmin connected with the prediction that a Brahmin would become the occasion for ending the rite. After completing the prescribed donations of valuables, food, and clothing, he performs the concluding avabhṛtha bath.