Shloka 15
सरस्वतीतीर्थानुक्रमः — बलरामस्य तीर्थयात्रा
Sarasvatī Tīrtha Itinerary — Balarāma’s Pilgrimage
यज्ञार्थ चक्रतुश्निन्तां तथा वित्तार्थमेव च । तयोबुद्धि: समभवत् त्रितं गृह्य परंतप
yajñārthaṃ cakratuś cintāṃ tathā vittārtham eva ca | tayoḥ buddhiḥ samabhavat tritaṃ gṛhya parantapa rājan ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Menginginkan pahala yajña sekaligus keuntungan harta, kedua saudara itu mulai berunding. Lalu timbul tekad pada mereka: “Wahai Raja, penakluk musuh, mari kita membawa Trita, memimpin yajña bagi para patron; memperoleh banyak ternak sebagai daksina, kita akan melaksanakan yajña yang besar dan berbuah luhur; dan di sana, dengan hati bersukacita, meminum Soma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights mixed motives in religious action: the brothers plan sacrificial work both for yajña-merit and for wealth (dakṣiṇā). It invites ethical reflection on how dharma-practices can be pursued with sincere devotion or instrumentalized for gain.
Two brothers (Ekat and Dvita, as indicated in the accompanying gloss) form a plan to take their brother Trita with them to conduct patrons’ sacrifices, receive many cattle as fees, perform a grand rite, and enjoy Soma—setting up the ensuing episode involving Trita.