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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga
10.64.3210.64.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.64.33

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kṛṣṇasince 10.64.32inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नाहं हालाहलं मन्ये विषं यस्य प्रतिक्रिया ।

ब्रह्मस्वं हि विषं प्रोक्तं नास्य प्रतिविधिर्भुवि ॥ ३३ ॥

nāhaṁ hālāhalaṁ manye

viṣaṁ yasya pratikriyā

brahma-svaṁ hi viṣaṁ proktaṁ

nāsya pratividhir bhuvi

Translation

I do not consider hālāhala to be real poison, because it has an antidote. But a brāhmaṇa’s property, when stolen, can truly be called poison, for it has no antidote in this world.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Stolen Property Is Deadly Poison

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa says that hālāhala is not real poison in this comparison, because it has an antidote.

  2. 2

    A brāhmaṇa’s property, when stolen, can truly be called poison: it has no antidote in this world.

  3. 3

    One who takes a brāhmaṇa’s property hoping to enjoy it has actually taken the most deadly poison.

Key points from the purport
  • One who takes a brāhmaṇa’s property, thinking to enjoy it, has actually taken the most deadly poison.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 64: The Deliverance of King Nṛga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Kṛṣṇa then instructed His personal associates, as well as the general mass of people, on the dangers of stealing a brāhmaṇa’s property. Finally, the Lord returned to His palace.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.64
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. ahamI
  3. hālāhalamthe poison named hālāhala, which Lord Śiva is famous for having drunk without toxic effects
  4. manyeI consider
  5. viṣampoison
  6. yasyaof which
  7. pratikriyācounteraction
  8. brahma-svama brāhmaṇa’s property
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Kṛṣṇa’s warning challenge the thought that taking another’s property could bring enjoyment?

Practice

Make a deliberate commitment today not to take or use a brāhmaṇa’s property without permission.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStolen Property Is Deadly PoisonThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.64.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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