Text 37] The Behavior of a Perfect Person 127

viragah sarva-kamebhyah
Siksito me madhu-vratat

krechraptam madhuvad vittarn
hatvapy anyo haret patim

viragah—detachment; sarva-kamebhyah—from all material desires;
Siksitah—has been taught; me—unto me; madhu-vratat—from the
bumblebee; krcchra—with great difficulties; dptam—acquired; madhu-
vat—as good as honey (“money is honey”); vittam—money; hatvé—
killing; api—even; anyah—another; haret—takes away; patim—the
owner.

TRANSLATION

From the bumblebee I have learned to be unattached to ac-
cumulating money, for although money is as good as honey, any-
one can kill its owner and take it away.

PURPORT

The honey gathered in the comb is taken away by force. Therefore one
who accumulates money should realize that he may be harassed by the
government or by thieves or even killed by enemies. Especially in this
age of Kali-yuga, it is said that instead of protecting the money of the
citizens, the government itself will take away the money with the force of
law. The learned bréhmana had therefore decided that he should not ac-
cumulate any money. One should own as much as he immediately needs.
There is no need to keep a big balance at hand, along with the fear that it
may be plundered by the government or by thieves.

TEXT 37

wate: TERT FECSTTATIART |
a 359 Taafa aarefia aay 11391!

anihah paritustatma
yadrcchopanatad aham
