Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 23
Cyavana’s Water-Vow and the Ethics of Cohabitation (स्नेह-सम्वास-धर्मः)
त्रिसहस्रपरो दाय: स्त्रियै देयो धनस्य वै | भर्त्रां तच्च धन दत्तं यथाहई भोक्तुमरहति,सत्रीको तीन हजारसे अधिक लागतका धन नहीं देना चाहिये। पतिके देनेपर ही उस धनको वह यथोचित रूपसे उपभोगमें ला सकती है
trisahasraparo dāyaḥ striyai deyo dhanasya vai | bhartṛṇāṃ tac ca dhanaṃ dattaṃ yathāhāraṃ bhoktum arhati ||
Wika ni Bhishma: Ang kaloob na itinakda para sa isang babae mula sa yaman ng angkan ay hindi dapat lumampas sa tatlong libo. At ang yaman na iyon, kapag ibinigay ng kanyang asawa, may karapatan siyang tamasahin at gamitin nang nararapat—ayon sa wastong kaugalian at pangangailangan.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets a normative limit on the amount of wealth to be allotted as a gift/share to a woman and affirms her right to enjoy and use what her husband has duly given, in an appropriate and socially sanctioned manner.
In the Anushasana Parva’s dharma-instructions, Bhishma continues advising on household and social duties, here addressing rules about giving wealth to women and the conditions under which they may rightfully use it.