Shloka 23
Gṛhastha-vṛtti and Niyama: Models of Householder Livelihood and Discipline (गृहस्थवृत्ति-नियमाः)
अददातेषु संजातस्त्रिसंदेहस्त्रिकर्मकृत् । तस्मादुन्मज्जने तिषछेत् प्रज्ञया निस्तरेद् यथा,उत्तम कुलमें उत्पन्न हुआ ब्राह्मण अध्यापन, याजन और प्रतिग्रह--इन तीन कर्मोंको संदेहकी दृष्टिसे देखे (के कहीं इनमें आसक्त न हो जाऊँ) और अध्ययन, यजन तथा दान --इन तीन कर्मोंका अवश्य पालन करे। वह जैसे भी हो प्रज्ञाद्वारा अपने उद्धारका प्रयत्न करे, उस कालनदसे पार हो जाय
adadāteṣu saṃjātas tri-saṃdehas tri-karmakṛt | tasmād unmaj-jane tiṣṭhet prajñayā nistared yathā ||
Vyāsa said: When a Brahmin is born into a noble lineage, he should regard the three livelihood-related acts—teaching, officiating at sacrifices, and accepting gifts—with threefold caution, lest attachment arise. Yet he must faithfully perform the three duties—study, sacrifice, and giving. In whatever way is possible, he should strive for his own deliverance through discernment, so that he may cross beyond the perilous current of worldly life.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
A Brahmin should perform the traditional duties of study, sacrifice, and charity, but treat teaching-for-gain, priestly service, and accepting gifts with vigilant caution, using discernment to avoid attachment and to pursue liberation.
Vyāsa is instructing on right conduct in the Śānti Parva’s ethical discourse, outlining how a Brahmin should balance obligatory duties with careful restraint regarding livelihood and remuneration, aiming to ‘cross over’ worldly danger through wisdom.