FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.9.19

असुराणां सुधादानं सर्पाणामिव दुर्नयम् । मत्वा जातिनृशंसानां न तां व्यभजदच्युत: ॥ १९ ॥
asurāṇāṁ sudhā-dānaṁ
[asuraanaam sudhaa-daanam]
sarpāṇām iva durnayam
[sarpaanaam iva durnayam]
matvā jāti-nṛśaṁsānāṁ
[matvaa jaati-nrishamsaanaam]
na tāṁ vyabhajad acyutaḥ
[na taam vyabhajad achyutah]
Word-for-word
asurāṇām — of the demons sudhā-dānam — giving of the nectar sarpāṇām — of snakes iva — like durnayam — miscalculation matvā — thinking like that jāti-nṛśaṁsānām — of those who are by nature very envious na — not tām — the nectar vyabhajat — delivered the share acyutaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
asurāṇāṁ sudhā-dānaṁ
asurāṇām
of the demons
sudhā-dānam
giving of the nectar
sarpāṇām iva durnayam
sarpāṇām
of snakes
iva
like
durnayam
miscalculation
matvā jāti-nṛśaṁsānāṁ
matvā
thinking like that
jāti-nṛśaṁsānām
of those who are by nature very envious
na
not
na tāṁ vyabhajad acyutaḥ
tām
the nectar
vyabhajat
delivered the share
acyutaḥ
the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down.
Demons are by nature crooked like snakes. Therefore, to distribute a share of the nectar to them was not at all feasible, since this would be as dangerous as supplying milk to a snake. Considering this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down, did not deliver a share of nectar to the demons.
Purport

It is said, sarpaḥ krūraḥ khalaḥ krūraḥ sarpāt krūrataraḥ khalaḥ: “The snake is very crooked and envious, and so also is a person like a demon.” Mantrauṣadhi-vaśaḥ sarpaḥ khalaḥ kena nivāryate: “One can bring a snake under control with mantras, herbs and drugs, but an envious and crooked person cannot be brought under control by any means.” Considering this logic, the Supreme Personality of Godhead thought it unwise to distribute nectar to the demons.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Deciding that it would be improper to give the nectar to the demons who were cruel like snakes, the Lord did not give a share of nectar to them. The demons had instructed Mohinī to divide the nectar justly. Not giving the nectar to them was the best justice.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Demons are crooked like snakes — giving them nectar would be like feeding milk to a snake. Mantras and herbs can control snakes; nothing controls a crooked person. Some characters cannot be improved by gifts; the gift just empowers their crookedness.
Reflection Questions
  • Where have I given resources to someone whose crookedness was only strengthened by them?
  • Is there a 'snake' in my circle I keep feeding milk to, hoping it will become a friend?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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