Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 41
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
पराग् रिक्तमपूर्णं वा अक्षरं यत् तदोमिति । यत् किञ्चिदोमिति ब्रूयात् तेन रिच्येत वै पुमान् । भिक्षवे सर्वम्ॐ कुर्वन्नालं कामेन चात्मने ॥ ४१ ॥
parāg riktam apūrṇaṁ vā akṣaraṁ yat tad om iti yat kiñcid om iti brūyāt tena ricyeta vai pumān bhikṣave sarvam oṁ kurvan nālaṁ kāmena cātmane
那表示分离、空乏或不圆满的音节，即名为“唵(Om)”。凡以“唵”而说并施与者，便使人真实地变得空乏、与财分离。尤其施舍乞者时，若事事皆以“唵”而尽舍，则欲望难遂，内在圆满亦难得。
Mahārāja Bali wanted to give everything to Vāmanadeva, who had appeared as a beggar, but Śukrācārya, being Mahārāja Bali’s familial spiritual master in the line of seminal succession, could not appreciate Mahārāja Bali’s promise. Śukrācārya gave Vedic evidence that one should not give everything to a poor man. Rather, when a poor man comes for charity one should untruthfully say, “Whatever I have I have given you. I have no more.” It is not that one should give everything to him. Actually the word om is meant for oṁ tat sat, the Absolute Truth. Oṁkāra is meant for freedom from all attachment to money because money should be spent for the purpose of the Supreme. The tendency of modern civilization is to give money in charity to the poor. Such charity has no spiritual value because we actually see that although there are so many hospitals and other foundations and institutions for the poor, according to the three modes of material nature a class of poor men is always destined to continue. Even though there are so many charitable institutions, poverty has not been driven from human society. Therefore it is recommended here, bhikṣave sarvam oṁ kurvan nālaṁ kāmena cātmane. One should not give everything to the beggars among the poor.
FAQs
This verse teaches that even if uttered imperfectly, the syllable “Oṁ” sanctifies; associating anything with “Oṁ” removes deficiency and supports inner completeness for a seeker.
While instructing Parīkṣit on spiritual principles within the broader narration, Śukadeva highlights Oṁ as a purifying, all-encompassing sacred sound—especially relevant for renunciants who aim to live without separate selfish desires.
Begin actions with remembrance of the Divine (such as chanting “Oṁ” with reverence), and reduce self-centered craving by treating daily duties as spiritually offered—cultivating simplicity and inner sufficiency.