Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 43
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
स्त्रीषु नर्मविवाहे च वृत्त्यर्थे प्राणसङ्कटे । गोब्राह्मणार्थे हिंसायां नानृतं स्याज्जुगुप्सितम् ॥ ४३ ॥
strīṣu narma-vivāhe ca vṛtty-arthe prāṇa-saṅkaṭe go-brāhmaṇārthe hiṁsāyāṁ nānṛtaṁ syāj jugupsitam
নারীকে বশে আনতে স্নিগ্ধ চাটুকারে, পরিহাসে, বিবাহ-অনুষ্ঠানে, জীবিকা অর্জনে, প্রাণসঙ্কটে, গোরক্ষা ও ব্রাহ্মণ্য-ধর্ম রক্ষায়, কিংবা শত্রুর হাত থেকে কাউকে বাঁচাতে—এ সকল ক্ষেত্রে মিথ্যা নিন্দিত নয়।
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, Nineteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Vāmanadeva Begs Charity from Bali Mahārāja.”
FAQs
This verse states that in specific situations—joking, marriage dealings, livelihood, life-threatening danger, and protecting cows and brāhmaṇas—untruth is not counted as blameworthy.
He highlights that dharma is applied with discernment: preserving life and protecting sacred social pillars like cows and brāhmaṇas can override literal truth-telling when harm would result.
Use truth as the norm, but in genuine emergencies or to prevent serious harm, choose speech that protects life and wellbeing while avoiding selfish deception.