Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 8
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
यावद् भ्र्रियेत जठरं तावत् स्वत्वं हि देहिनाम् । अधिकं योऽभिमन्येत स स्तेनो दण्डमर्हति ॥ ८ ॥
yāvad bhriyeta jaṭharaṁ tāvat svatvaṁ hi dehinām adhikaṁ yo ’bhimanyeta sa steno daṇḍam arhati
One may claim proprietorship to as much wealth as required to maintain body and soul together, but one who desires proprietorship over more than that must be considered a thief, and he deserves to be punished by the laws of nature.
By God’s favor we sometimes get large quantities of food grains or suddenly receive some contribution or unexpected profit in business. In this way we may get more money than needed. So, how should that be spent? There is no need to accumulate money in the bank merely to increase one’s bank balance. Such a mentality is described in Bhagavad-gītā (16.13) as asuric, demoniac.
FAQs
This verse says our rightful claim is only what maintains the body; claiming more as ‘mine’ is considered theft and is punishable.
In Canto 7, Chapter 14, Nārada instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on ideal household dharma—emphasizing simplicity, restraint, and freedom from greed.
Live with conscious limits: earn and consume responsibly, avoid hoarding, and redirect surplus toward charity, service, and devotion rather than possessiveness.