Manava Dharmashastra 4.15

4.15

prasajyeta yatra puruṣaḥ sa hi prasaṅgo'bhipreto gītavāditrādiḥ | tatra hi rāgiṇaḥ sajjantīva | ato gītavāditrādibhirarthāndhanāni neheta nārjayet | ‘viruddhaṃ karma’ pratiṣiddhaṃ śāstreṇa akulocitaṃ ca | na ca pitrādyāgateṣu dhaneṣu kalpamāneṣu sthitisamartheṣu | anyāni neccheta | nārtyāṃ āpadyapi yatastataḥ | prasahya saṃpratigraheṇa pravartitavyamekasyāpadyenamapyanujñāsyati |

He shall not seek wealth by clinging pursuits, or by contrary acts; nor when wealth is already there; nor from here and there, even in times of distress.—(15)

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
‘Clinging pursuits’ are those to which people become addicted; just as singing and music; to these passionate persons cling, as it were. Hence one shall not ‘seek’ —i.e., earn wealth by means of singing and music.

‘Contrary act’—i.e., that which is forbidden by the scriptures, or iś not in accordance with the usages of one’s family.

‘Nor when wealth’—enough for subsistence—‘is already there’—having been inherited from father and others;—one shall not seek for more,

‘Even in times of distress, not from here and there.’—As a rule, one should subsist on presents received from proper persons; but, in rare cases, the scripture shall permit a contrary course also, in times of distress.—(15)

‘Prasaṅgena’—‘Music, singing and such other things to which man becomes addicted’ (Medhātithi, Govindarāja, Kullūka Rāghavānanda and Nandana);—‘with too great eagerness’ (Nārāyaṇa).

This verse is quoted in Hemādri (Dāna, p. 59).

Comparative notes by various authors
Yājñavalkya (1.129).—‘He shall not seek for such wealth as may be incompatible with Vedic Study; nor from here and there; nor by recourse to what is improper; and he shall remain ever contented.’

Gautama (9.49).—‘Among Dharma, Artha and Kāma, he shall attach the greatest importance to Dharma.’