Shloka 11
कुण्डधारोपाख्यानम्
Kuṇḍadhāra-Upākhyāna: Dharma’s Superiority over Wealth and Desire
देवा वित्तममन्यन्त सदृशं यज्ञकर्मणि । श्रोत्रियस्य कदर्यस्य वदान्यस्य च वार्धुषे:
devā vittam amanyanta sadṛśaṃ yajñakarmaṇi | śrotriyasya kadaryasya vadānyasya ca vārdhuṣeḥ ||
ビーシュマは言った。「神々は、財が祭祀の務めに用いられるなら相応しいものと見なした――それがヴェーダに通じた者（śrotriya）でありながら吝嗇な者の財であれ、寛大で繁栄の増進を志す者の財であれ。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth becomes truly appropriate and meaningful when applied to dharmic purposes—especially yajña and allied duties—rather than being merely hoarded; the verse contrasts miserliness and generosity to highlight right use of resources.
In Bhīṣma’s instruction in the Śānti Parva, he explains principles of righteous conduct concerning wealth, emphasizing how the divine perspective values resources when they support sacrificial and duty-bound action.