Shloka 36

The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property

Devanagari script

राजानो राजलक्ष्म्यान्धा नात्मपातं विचक्षते । निरयं येऽभिमन्यन्ते ब्रह्मस्वं साधु बालिशा: ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

rājāno rāja-lakṣmyāndhā nātma-pātaṁ vicakṣate nirayaṁ ye ’bhimanyante brahma-svaṁ sādhu bāliśāḥ

Translation

Kings, blinded by royal opulence, fail to foresee their own downfall. Childishly craving to enjoy a brāhmaṇa’s property, they are in fact craving hell.

Synonyms

• rājānaḥ: kings
• rājānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana

• rāja-lakṣmyā-andhāḥ: blinded by royal prosperity
• rāja-lakṣmyā-andhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक) + lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक) + andha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘blind due to royal fortune/prosperity’ qualifying rājānaḥ

• na: do not
• na: Sambandha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• ātma-pātam: their own downfall
• ātma-pātam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + pāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa ‘fall of oneself’

• vicakṣate: perceive/foresee
• vicakṣate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-cakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra, Ātmanepada, Prathama-puruṣa, Bahuvacana

• nirayam: hell
• nirayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2), Ekavacana

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक; relative pronoun)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana

• abhimanyante: consider/imagine
• abhimanyante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-man (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra, Ātmanepada, Prathama-puruṣa, Bahuvacana

• brahma-svam: a brāhmaṇa’s property
• brahma-svam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā (2), Ekavacana

• sādhu: rightly/indeed
• sādhu: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sādhu (अव्यय/विशेषण-प्रयोग)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb ‘rightly/well’ (also used as adjective ‘good’)

• bāliśāḥ: fools/simpletons
• bāliśāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāliśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1), Bahuvacana; in apposition to ye

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about taking a brāhmaṇa’s property (brahmasva)?

This verse warns that considering brahmasva—property belonging to brāhmaṇas and saintly persons—as something to exploit leads to severe karmic reaction and a hellish destination.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī criticize kings as blinded by opulence here?

In the Syamantaka-jewel narrative, Śukadeva highlights how royal power and wealth can intoxicate rulers so they ignore long-term spiritual consequences, especially when they disrespect or appropriate what is sacred.

What is the practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Do not misuse power, status, or wealth to exploit religious institutions, teachers, or the pious; instead cultivate humility, protect sacred trust, and act with accountability, knowing actions carry consequences.