146 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 9, Ch. 4
TRANSLATION

For a brahmana, austerity and learning are certainly auspicious,
but when acquired by a person who is not gentle, such austerity
and learning are most dangerous.

PURPORT

It is said that a jewel is very valuable, but when it is on the hood of a
serpent, it is dangerous despite its value. Similarly, when a materialistic
nondevotee achieves great success in learning and austerity, that success
is dangerous for all of society. So-called learned scientists, for example,
invented atomic weapons that are dangerous for all humanity. It is
therefore said, manind bhisitah sarpah kim asau na bhayankarah. A
serpent with a jewel on its hood is as dangerous as a serpent without such
a jewel. Durvasa Muni was a very learned brahmana equipped with
mystic power, but because he was not a gentleman, he did not know how
to use his power. He was therefore extremely dangerous. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead is never inclined toward a dangerous person who
uses his mystic power for some personal design. By the laws of nature,
therefore, such misuse of power is ultimately dangerous not for society
but for the person who misuses it.

TEXT 71
AG TS AR A AVTTATAT FA |
area aera aa: Metals 1921
brahmams tad gaccha bhadram te
nabhaga-tanayam nrpam
ksamapaya mahaé-bhagam
tatah santir bhavisyati

brahman—O braéhmana; tat—therefore; gaccha—you go; bha-
dram—all auspiciousness; te—unto you; nabhaga-tanayam—to the son
of Maharaja Nabhaga; nrpam—the King (Ambarisa); ksamapaya—just
try to pacify him; maha-bhagam—a great personality, a pure devotee;
tatah—thereafter; Sdntih—peace; bhavisyati—there will be.
