Shloka 1.14.46
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
मणिरत्नं सुवर्णं वा गावो यद्वा समुद्यतम्।तत्प्रयच्छ नरश्रेष्ठ धरण्या न प्रयोजनम्।।।।
maṇiratnaṃ suvarṇaṃ vā gāvo yadvā samudyatam |
tat prayaccha naraśreṣṭha dharaṇyā na prayojanam ||
“O best of men, give us precious gems, or gold, or cows—whatever is readily at hand; we have no need of the earth as a possession.”
O best of men! give us gems or gold or cows or whichever is readily available. We have no use with this earth".
Dharma of appropriate giving: charity should be practical and suited to the recipient’s life-purpose, not merely grand in symbolism.
The priests specify acceptable substitutes for the land-gift—portable wealth consistent with priestly life.
Prudence and restraint—refusing power and requesting only what supports their dharmic vocation.