Shloka 16
सुदु:खोपार्जितैर्वित्तैराशासानां गृहाशिष: । मधुहेवाग्रतो भुङ्क्ते यतिर्वै गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ १६ ॥
su-duḥkhopārjitair vittair āśāsānāṁ gṛhāśiṣaḥ madhu-hevāgrato bhuṅkte yatir vai gṛha-medhinām
Para penghuni rumah tangga yang mengharap nikmat keluarga mengumpulkan harta dengan susah payah; namun seperti pemburu merampas madu yang dihasilkan lebah dengan jerih, demikian juga para pertapa suci seperti brahmacari dan sannyasi berhak menerima dan menikmati harta yang dikumpulkan dengan payah oleh para grihastha.
The scriptures state: “Saintly mendicants in the sannyāsa order of life and brahmacārīs have first right to enjoy the sumptuous foodstuffs produced by the householders. If the householders enjoy such foodstuffs without first offering them in charity to the mendicants, such neglectful householders must undergo the lunar fast called cāndrāyaṇam. ” In family life one must overcome the natural tendency toward selfishness by giving abundant charity. Modern society foolishly does not observe such Vedic injunctions, and as a result the world has become overrun by envious gṛha-medhīs, or persons wholly and solely dedicated to personal gratification in family life. Therefore, the whole world is seized in an uncontrollable spasm of violence and suffering. If one wants to live peacefully one must follow the Vedic injunctions regulating family life. Although the householders work very hard to accumulate money, the saintly sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs have the right to first enjoy the fruits of such labor. The conclusion is that one should give first priority to spiritual advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus perfect one’s life. Then even without personal endeavor, one will be supplied all of one’s necessities by the mercy of the Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse notes that materialistic householders often earn wealth through great suffering, yet its enjoyment is uncertain and temporary; it can even be consumed by others—symbolized by the mendicant receiving alms—so one should not stake one’s happiness on it.
Like a bee that takes a little honey without building the hive, the yati accepts only what is needed through alms, without entering the exhausting struggles and anxieties by which householders accumulate wealth.
Earn honestly and responsibly, but reduce needless accumulation, anxiety, and status-chasing; practice charity and simplicity, and redirect time and resources toward bhakti and inner freedom rather than endless economic struggle.