Shloka 15
सरस्वतीतीर्थानुक्रमः — बलरामस्य तीर्थयात्रा
Sarasvatī Tīrtha Itinerary — Balarāma’s Pilgrimage
यज्ञार्थ चक्रतुश्निन्तां तथा वित्तार्थमेव च । तयोबुद्धि: समभवत् त्रितं गृह्य परंतप,राजन्! एक दिनकी बात है, उनके दोनों भाई एकत और द्वित यज्ञ और धनके लिये चिन्ता करने लगे। शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले नरेश! उनके मनमें यह विचार उत्पन्न हुआ कि हमलोग त्रितको साथ लेकर यजमानोंका यज्ञ करावें और दक्षिणाके रूपमें बहुत-से पशु प्राप्त करके महान् फलदायक यज्ञका अनुष्ठान करें और उसीमें प्रसन्नतापूर्वक सोमरसका पान करें
yajñārthaṃ cakratuś cintāṃ tathā vittārtham eva ca | tayoḥ buddhiḥ samabhavat tritaṃ gṛhya parantapa rājan ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeking both sacrificial merit and material gain, the two brothers began to deliberate. Then this resolve arose in them: “O king, subduer of foes, let us take Trita with us, officiate at patrons’ sacrifices, obtain many cattle as priestly fees, perform a great and fruitful rite, and there, with glad hearts, drink the Soma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights mixed motives in religious action: the brothers plan sacrificial work both for yajña-merit and for wealth (dakṣiṇā). It invites ethical reflection on how dharma-practices can be pursued with sincere devotion or instrumentalized for gain.
Two brothers (Ekat and Dvita, as indicated in the accompanying gloss) form a plan to take their brother Trita with them to conduct patrons’ sacrifices, receive many cattle as fees, perform a grand rite, and enjoy Soma—setting up the ensuing episode involving Trita.