Shloka 1.14.48
अश्वमेधप्रवृत्तिः — Commencement and Performance of Daśaratha’s Aśvamedha
एवमुक्तो नरपतिर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगै:।।1.14.47।।गवां शतसहस्राणि दश तेभ्यो ददौ नृप:। 4 शतकोटीस्सुवर्णस्य रजतस्य चतुर्गुणम् ।।1.14.48।।
ṛtvijaś ca tataḥ sarve pradaduḥ sahitā vasu |
ṛśyaśṛṅgāya munaye vasiṣṭhāya ca dhīmate ||
Thereafter, all the priests together presented that wealth to the sage Ṛśyaśṛṅga and to the wise Vasiṣṭha.
Lord of men, the king having been thus addressed by brahmins who were wellversed in the Vedas, bestowed on them ten hundred thousand cows, a hundred crore of gold coins and four times as much in silver coins.
Respect for spiritual leadership: wealth obtained through ritual distribution is further offered to eminent sages, reinforcing the dharmic hierarchy of learning and guidance.
After receiving gifts from the king, the priests collectively pass the wealth onward to leading sages associated with the rite.
Reverence and non-attachment—priests redirect wealth toward revered teachers rather than hoarding it.