Shloka 18
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
विप्रौ विवदमानौ मामूचतु: स्वार्थसाधकौ । भवान् दातापहर्तेति तच्छ्रुत्वा मेऽभवद् भ्रम: ॥ १८ ॥
viprau vivadamānau mām ūcatuḥ svārtha-sādhakau bhavān dātāpaharteti tac chrutvā me ’bhavad bhramaḥ
พราหมณ์ทั้งสองโต้เถียงกันเพื่อประโยชน์ของตน แล้วมาหาเรา คนหนึ่งว่า “ท่านเป็นผู้ให้วัวนี้แก่ข้า” อีกคนว่า “แต่ท่านได้แย่งมันไปจากข้า” ได้ยินดังนั้นเราก็สับสนงุนงง
FAQs
This verse conveys that the Supreme Lord controls both gain and loss—He can bestow blessings and also withdraw them—so one should not cling to possessions or ego as ultimately independent.
They were arguing to secure their own advantage, and in the course of blaming and justifying, they attributed opposing roles to the same person—creating a contradictory claim that led the listener to confusion.
When outcomes shift—profit and loss, praise and blame—remember that circumstances are not fully in our control; practice humility, avoid manipulative arguments, and accept reversals without losing faith or ethics.