Shloka 5
Adhyāya 166: Kṛtaghna-doṣa (कृतघ्नदोषः) — the fault of ingratitude and the limits of expiation
यस्य त्रैवार्षिकं भक्त पर्याप्तं भृत्यवृत्तये । अधिकं चापि विद्येत स सोम॑ पातुमहति
yasya traivārṣikaṃ bhaktaṃ paryāptaṃ bhṛtya-vṛttaye | adhikaṃ cāpi vidyeta sa somaṃ pātum arhati ||
Bhishma said: The Brahmin who has provisions and wealth sufficient for three years to maintain those dependent on him—and more besides—alone is fit to drink the Soma. Such a man should undertake the Soma-sacrifice, for this rite is to be performed from a foundation of secure livelihood and responsible support of the household, not from want.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual privilege (Soma-drinking/Soma-sacrifice) is tied to ethical readiness: a Brahmin should first be able to sustain dependents securely (at least three years’ provisions, preferably surplus). The rite is not to be pursued at the cost of household responsibility.
In Bhishma’s instruction during the Shanti Parva, he lays down a criterion for who is qualified to perform the Soma-sacrifice: only one with adequate, stable resources for maintaining dependents is considered fit for Soma-drinking and thus for undertaking the Soma-yajña.