Shloka 16
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
कस्यचिद् द्विजमुख्यस्य भ्रष्टा गौर्मम गोधने । सम्पृक्ताविदुषा सा च मया दत्ता द्विजातये ॥ १६ ॥
kasyacid dvija-mukhyasya bhraṣṭā gaur mama go-dhane sampṛktāviduṣā sā ca mayā dattā dvijātaye
Once, a cow belonging to a certain first-class brāhmaṇa strayed and entered my herd. Unaware of this, I gave that cow in charity to a different brāhmaṇa.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the term dvija-mukhya, “first-class brāhmaṇa, ” here indicates a brāhmaṇa who has stopped accepting charity and would thus refuse to accept even one hundred thousand cows in exchange for the cow that had been improperly given away.
FAQs
This verse shows that a cow that strays into one’s herd is not automatically one’s property; mishandling such ownership—especially regarding a brāhmaṇa’s cow—creates moral responsibility and demands truthful accounting.
In the Syamantaka-jewel narrative, Akrūra explains circumstances and his actions to clear doubts and restore trust, acknowledging how the cow became mixed into his herd and what he did with her.
When something not rightfully yours comes into your possession through confusion or negligence, disclose it, correct the mistake, and make restitution—truthful accountability is a core expression of dharma.