Shloka 32
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
दुर्जरं बत ब्रह्मस्वं भुक्तमग्नेर्मनागपि । तेजीयसोऽपि किमुत राज्ञां ईश्वरमानिनाम् ॥ ३२ ॥
durjaraṁ bata brahma-svaṁ bhuktam agner manāg api tejīyaso ’pi kim uta rājñāṁ īśvara-māninām
婆罗门之财实难消受；纵使威力胜于烈火者，稍稍享用亦难消化。何况自以为主宰的君王，妄图享受此财，更当如何！
Even those made powerful by austerity, mystic yoga and so on cannot enjoy property stolen from a brāhmaṇa, and what to speak of others.
FAQs
This verse warns that brahma-sva (a brāhmaṇa’s property) is “undigestible”—even a small misuse burns like fire, bringing severe karmic reactions.
He emphasizes that if ordinary people suffer for exploiting brāhmaṇa wealth, proud rulers—stronger and more prone to domination—face even greater ruin when they act with īśvara-māna (false lordship).
Avoid exploiting sacred institutions, teachers, and devoted servants; practice humility, ethical stewardship of resources, and treat spiritual communities with respect to prevent harmful reactions.