Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 12
ब्रह्मस्वहरण-निषेधः — Prohibition of Appropriating Brahmin Property
Brahmasva
तस्मात् सोमो<प्यविक्रेय: पुरुषेण विपश्चिता । विक्रयं त्विह सोमस्य गर्हयन्ति मनीषिण:
tasmāt somo 'py avikreyaḥ puruṣeṇa vipaścitā | vikrayaṁ tv iha somasya garhayanti manīṣiṇaḥ ||
Therefore, even Soma should not be sold by a discerning person. For here in this world, the wise strongly censure the trade of Soma—treating it as an unethical act unfit for one who seeks dharma.
चाण्डाल उवाच
Educational Q&A
A wise person should not commercialize what is sacred: the sale of Soma (a ritual substance) is condemned by the learned, implying that dharmic conduct includes restraint in livelihood and respect for ritual sanctity.
The speaker (a Chāṇḍāla) states a normative rule within a dharma-discussion: Soma is not to be sold, and the wise criticize those who engage in such trade.