Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 42
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
अथैतत् पूर्णमभ्यात्मं यच्च नेत्यनृतं वच: । सर्वं नेत्यनृतं ब्रूयात् स दुष्कीर्ति: श्वसन्मृत: ॥ ४२ ॥
athaitat pūrṇam abhyātmaṁ yac ca nety anṛtaṁ vacaḥ sarvaṁ nety anṛtaṁ brūyāt sa duṣkīrtiḥ śvasan mṛtaḥ
Vì vậy, con đường an toàn là nói “không”. Dẫu là lời không thật, nó vẫn che chở trọn vẹn, kéo lòng thương của người khác về phía mình và tạo điều kiện đầy đủ để gom tiền của họ. Tuy nhiên, kẻ luôn miệng nói “tôi chẳng có gì” thì bị chê trách; hắn như xác chết khi còn sống, đang thở mà như đáng bị trừ khử.
Beggars always present themselves as possessing nothing, and this may be very good for them because in this way they are assured of not losing their money and of always drawing the attention and compassion of others for the sake of collection. But this is also condemned. If one purposely continues this professional begging, he is supposed to be dead while breathing, or, according to another interpretation, such a man of falsity should be killed while still breathing. The Vedic injunction in this regard is as follows: athaitat pūrṇam abhyātmaṁ yan neti sa yat sarvaṁ neti brūyāt pāpikāsya kīrtir jāyate. sainaṁ tatraiva hanyāt. If one continuously poses himself as possessing nothing and collects money by begging, he should be killed ( sainaṁ tatraiva hanyāt ).
FAQs
This verse teaches that untruthful speech should not be spoken; habitual lying leads to disgrace and makes one spiritually and socially “dead” even while alive.
In the flow of Canto 8’s dharmic instruction around the devas and asuras, Śukadeva highlights satya as a foundational inner discipline (abhyātma) that preserves integrity and supports spiritual life.
Practice truthful, responsible speech—avoid exaggeration and deception—because credibility and character are quickly lost through habitual lying.