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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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 7 · Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life
7.14.77.14.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.8

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.14.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

यावद् भ्र्रियेत जठरं तावत् स्वत्वं हि देहिनाम् ।

अधिकं योऽभिमन्येत स स्तेनो दण्डमर्हति ॥ ८ ॥

yāvad bhriyeta jaṭharaṁ

tāvat svatvaṁ hi dehinām

adhikaṁ yo ’bhimanyeta

sa steno daṇḍam arhati

Translation

One may claim proprietorship to as much wealth as required to maintain body and soul together, but one who desires proprietorship over more than that must be considered a thief, and he deserves to be punished by the laws of nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Extra Wealth for Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    One may claim only as much wealth as is needed to maintain body and soul. Claiming more for oneself is described as theft, punishable by the laws of nature.

  2. 2

    Extra money should be spent for Kṛṣṇa, supporting temples and the spreading of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This benefits all human society.

  3. 3

    Artificial necessities encourage endless accumulation and desires that remain unfulfilled. Hearing repeatedly about the Supreme Personality of Godhead helps keep the true goal of life in view.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually, if one has more than one requires for his necessities, the extra money should be spent for Kṛṣṇa.
  • As stated here, one who accumulates more money than needed is a thief, and by the laws of nature he will be punished.
  • In this cycle of activities, everyone is engaged in getting more and more money, and therefore the ideal goal of human life is being lost.

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

Connected verses· 3

The purport of SB 7.14.8 quotesBG 16.13

Such a mentality is described in Bhagavad-gītā (16.13) as asuric, demoniac.

The purport of SB 7.14.8 quotesBG 9.27

According to the Vedic civilization, it should all be given to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, as ordered by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (9.27): “O son of Kuntī, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 8.1.10

“One may claim proprietorship to as much wealth as required to maintain body and soul together, but one who desires proprietorship over more than that must be considered a thief, and he deserves to be punished by the laws of nature.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A gṛhastha should always remember that one who is endeavoring to accumulate more money than necessary is to be considered a thief and is punishable by the laws of nature. A gṛhastha should be very much affectionate toward lower animals, birds and bees, treating them exactly like his own children.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāvatas much as
  2. bhriyetamay be filled
  3. jaṭharamthe stomach
  4. tāvatthat much
  5. svatvamproprietorship
  6. hiindeed
  7. dehināmof the living entities
  8. adhikammore than that
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “hearing”

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

Am I seeking more money for genuine necessities or for increasing material comforts?

Practice

Review one nonessential expense and consider setting that amount aside for spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.14's connections

Live this todayUse Extra Wealth for KṛṣṇaOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 7.14.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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