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 ||
毗湿摩说：“诸天认为，财富只要用于祭祀之责便是相称——无论它属于通晓吠陀的学者（śrotriya）却吝啬之人，还是属于慷慨施与、志在增益昌盛之人。”
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.