FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.64.23

पूर्वं त्वमशुभं भुङ्‍क्ष उताहो नृपते शुभम् । नान्तं दानस्य धर्मस्य पश्ये लोकस्य भास्वत: ॥ २३ ॥
pūrvaṁ tvam aśubhaṁ bhuṅkṣa
[poorvam tvam ashubham bhunksha]
utāho nṛpate śubham
[utaaho nripate shubham]
nāntaṁ dānasya dharmasya
[naantam daanasya dharmasya]
paśye lokasya bhāsvataḥ
[pashye lokasya bhaasvatah]
Word-for-word
pūrvam — first tvam — you aśubham — impious reactions bhuṅkṣe — wish to experience uta āha u — or else nṛ - pate — O King śubham — pious reactions na — not antam — the end dānasya — of charity dharmasya — religious paśye — I see lokasya — of the world bhāsvataḥ — shining .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
pūrvaṁ tvam aśubhaṁ bhuṅkṣa
pūrvam
first
tvam
you
aśubham
impious reactions
bhuṅkṣe
wish to experience
utāho nṛpate śubham
uta āha u
or else
nṛ - pate
O King
śubham
pious reactions
nāntaṁ dānasya dharmasya
na
not
antam
the end
dānasya
of charity
dharmasya
religious
paśye lokasya bhāsvataḥ
paśye
I see
lokasya
of the world
bhāsvataḥ
shining .
Important Words
  • aśubham bhuṅkṣe — do you wish to experience the impious
    A-śubha (not auspicious) + bhuj (to enjoy / suffer). The Bhāgavata's standard verb for karma-consumption: both pleasure and pain are 'eaten' until exhausted. Yama's offer respects the king's right to choose the order.
  • śubham — the pious (reactions)
    The positive counterpart. Nṛga's heap of dāna had its own ripening waiting in svarga. Yama tells him both ledgers are full — the question is only the order of reading.
  • antam — the end
    From anta. Yama himself, who can see lifetimes, declares he sees 'no end' (na antam ... paśye) of Nṛga's charitable credit. The verse establishes how disproportionate the punishment will look — a single misappropriated cow against an endless heaven. That disproportion is the whole point about aparādha.
  • lokasya bhāsvataḥ — of the shining world
    Loka (world) + bhāsvant (shining, radiant). Svarga, the bright heaven. Yama acknowledges that Nṛga's place is genuinely there — yet a single offence will pull him out of it. Brāhmaṇa-aparādha is the unique offence that can override even legitimate svarga-credit.
[Yamarāja said:] My dear King, do you wish to experience the results of your sins first, or those of your piety? Indeed, I see no end to the dutiful charity you have performed, or to your consequent enjoyment in the radiant heavenly planets.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
[Yamarāja said:] My dear King, do you wish to experience the results of your sins first, or those of your piety? Indeed, I see no end to the dutiful charity you have performed, or to your consequent enjoyment in the radiant heavenly planets.
Commentary

"Do you first want to experience the sinful reaction for unknowingly taking away the brahmana's cow, or the pious reactions to your charities? I do not see an end to the results of your charities---I do not see an end to your living in svarga loka (bhasvatah lokasya)."

Jīva Gosvāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

Will you experience the sin arising from taking the cow (aśubham) first? I see no end of your staying in Svarga, shining with wondrous happiness and powers, because of your unlimited performance of sacrifices (dharmasya) and charity.

Śrīdhara Svāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

Will you experience the sin arising from taking the cow or the suffering (aśubham) first? Though charity is included in dharma it is mentioned separately because of his great endeavors of giving. Or though charity is included in dharma, it is stated because by that he would go to Svarga, shining with unlimited wealth and happiness. His excellent life in higher planets like Dhruva-loka is described.

Related values & verses
Related values
Anahankarah (Freedom from False Ego)Asteya (Non-stealing / Honesty)Aparigraha (Non-possessiveness)
Related verses
BG 15.9 BG 17.20 BG 18.64 BG 2.62 BG 3.11 BG 12.3 SB 4.29.2 BG 9.11 BG 8.2 BG 17.4 BG 7.8 BG 10.3 BG 13.1 BG 5.18 BG 6.1
Concepts
Dharma
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Yamarāja asked Nṛga whether he wished to experience sin or piety first, noting his charity was practically endless. Even rigorous justice frames itself respectfully when speaking to one who has given much.
Reflection Questions
  • If I were asked today whether I want my sins or my piety dealt with first, what would I honestly choose?
  • How does facing Yamarāja's question now reorganize my priorities?
Analogy

Yamarāja extending a courtesy to a great king — 'which will you take first, the sweet or the bitter?' — is the dignified administrator's last act of respect before the sentence falls. The choice itself is a small mercy; the consequence is fixed.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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