Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.19.42
Ūti· What drives us to actDo Not Pretend to Have Nothing
“Therefore, the safe course is to say no. Although it is a falsehood, it protects one completely, it draws the compassion of others toward oneself, and it gives one full facility to collect money from others for oneself. Nonetheless, if one always pleads that he has nothing, he is condemned, for he is a dead body while living, or while still breathing he should be killed.”
What the purport teaches
- Falsely saying that one has nothing can protect one’s money and draw compassion from others. The purport explains how this becomes a means of collecting more money.
- Purposely continuing this professional begging is condemned. The criticism concerns someone who falsely presents himself as possessing nothing.
- The text describes such a person as dead while breathing and also gives a severe alternative interpretation calling for his death. This emphasizes its strong condemnation of persistent deception for financial gain.
Try this today
Before asking for help today, clearly distinguish what you genuinely need from what you already have.
Ask yourself
Have I ever exaggerated what I lack to gain someone’s sympathy or financial help?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.