Shloka 36
Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint
विराग: सर्वकामेभ्य: शिक्षितो मे मधुव्रतात् । कृच्छ्राप्तं मधुवद्वित्तं हत्वाप्यन्यो हरेत्पतिम् ॥ ३६ ॥
virāgaḥ sarva-kāmebhyaḥ śikṣito me madhu-vratāt kṛcchrāptaṁ madhuvad vittaṁ hatvāpy anyo haret patim
தேனீயிடமிருந்து நான் கற்றது: செல்வச் சேமிப்பில் பற்றுதல் கொள்ளாதே; செல்வம் தேன் போன்றது—கடினமாகக் கிடைக்கும், ஆனால் யாரும் அதன் உரிமையாளரை கொன்று அதை எடுத்துச் செல்லலாம்.
The honey gathered in the comb is taken away by force. Therefore one who accumulates money should realize that he may be harassed by the government or by thieves or even killed by enemies. Especially in this Age of Kali-yuga, it is said that instead of protecting the money of the citizens, the government itself will take away the money with the force of law. The learned brāhmaṇa had therefore decided that he should not accumulate any money. One should own as much as he immediately needs. There is no need to keep a big balance at hand, along with the fear that it may be plundered by the government or by thieves.
FAQs
This verse teaches vairāgya by showing that wealth gathered with great effort can be taken away at any moment—even violently—so one should not base security or identity on possessions.
In the avadhūta’s tradition of learning from nature, the honeybee illustrates how one may toil to accumulate ‘honey-like’ wealth, yet others can seize it; therefore a wise person cultivates detachment.
Earn honestly and use resources responsibly, but reduce possessiveness—save and give in dharma, avoid obsessive hoarding, and invest your main energy in lasting spiritual practices rather than fragile material security.