Shloka 70
Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense
तपो विद्या च विप्राणां नि:श्रेयसकरे उभे । ते एव दुर्विनीतस्य कल्पेते कर्तुरन्यथा ॥ ७० ॥
tapo vidyā ca viprāṇāṁ niḥśreyasa-kare ubhe te eva durvinītasya kalpete kartur anyathā
બ્રાહ્મણો માટે તપ અને વિદ્યા—બન્ને જ નિશ્રેયસ કરનારાં છે. પરંતુ જે વિનયહીન છે, તેના માટે એ જ તપ અને વિદ્યા ઉલટાં પરિણામ આપી અત્યંત ભયંકર બને છે.
It is said that a jewel is very valuable, but when it is on the hood of a serpent, it is dangerous despite its value. Similarly, when a materialistic nondevotee achieves great success in learning and austerity, that success is dangerous for all of society. So-called learned scientists, for example, invented atomic weapons that are dangerous for all humanity. It is therefore said, maṇinā bhūṣitaḥ sarpaḥ kim asau na bhayaṅkaraḥ. A serpent with a jewel on its hood is as dangerous as a serpent without such a jewel. Durvāsā Muni was a very learned brāhmaṇa equipped with mystic power, but because he was not a gentleman, he did not know how to use his power. He was therefore extremely dangerous. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is never inclined toward a dangerous person who uses his mystic power for some personal design. By the laws of nature, therefore, such misuse of power is ultimately dangerous not for society but for the person who misuses it.
FAQs
It says that tapasya (austerity) and vidyā (learning) are meant to grant niḥśreyasa—ultimate welfare—but only when joined with proper discipline and character.
Because without good training and humility, the same powers of learning and austerity can be diverted into pride, harm, or irreligion—thus giving the opposite of spiritual benefit.
Study and self-improvement should be paired with ethics, humility, and self-control; otherwise education or strict practices can inflate ego and cause damage rather than upliftment.