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,यजमानसे, शिष्यसे अथवा कन्या-शुल्कसे जब महान् धन प्राप्त हो, तब उसके द्वारा यज्ञ करे, दान दे, अकेला किसी तरह उस धनका उपभोग न करे
yājyataḥ śiṣyataḥ vāpi kanyāyā vā dhanaṃ mahat | yadā gacched yajed dadyān naiko 'śrīyāt kathaṃcana ||
Vyāsa said: “When a person comes into great wealth—whether as a priest’s fee for officiating a sacrifice, as a teacher’s remuneration from a student, or as the bride-price connected with a maiden—then with that wealth he should perform sacrifices and give gifts. He should never, in any manner, consume or enjoy that wealth solely for himself.”
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.