Shloka 213
अर्जुनदुःखहेतुप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the cause of Arjuna’s recurring hardship
Book 14, Chapter 89
ऋषच्विग्भ्य: प्रददौ विद्वांश्षतुर्धा व्यभजंश्व ते । विद्वान् महर्षि व्यासने वह सुवर्णराशि लेकर ब्राह्मणोंको दे दी और उन्होंने चार भाग करके उसे आपसमें बाँट लिया
ṛṣacvigbhyaḥ pradadau vidvāṁś caturdhā vyabhajaṁś ca te |
Vaiśampāyana said: The wise one bestowed the heap of gold upon the ṛṣis and the officiating priests; and they, in turn, divided it among themselves into four shares. The episode underscores the dharmic use of wealth—earned or received in a sacred rite—and its orderly distribution among those who uphold and serve the sacrifice.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth connected with sacred rites should be used in a dharmic way—given as dāna/dakṣiṇā to those who sustain the sacrifice—and then shared fairly and without greed, reflecting order, restraint, and communal responsibility.
A large quantity of gold is given to the sages and officiating priests, and they divide it into four portions among themselves, indicating an organized apportionment of sacrificial gifts.