Vrishchikasya Visham Puchchhe (The Wicked Are Poison All Over)
वृश्चिकस्य विषं पुच्छं
Also known as: vrishchikasya visham puchchhe · vrischikasya visham puccham · makshikayashcha mastake · sarvange durjanasya cha · chanakya scorpion poison verse
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✦ Meaning
In this vivid and widely quoted verse, Chanakya contrasts venomous creatures — whose poison is confined to a single organ — with the wicked person, whose every limb and faculty is steeped in harm. It is a sharp lesson in discernment of character, warning that an evil-minded individual is far more dangerous than any single-sting creature and must be dealt with the utmost caution.
Origin & Story
Chanakya Niti · Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya) · Ancient India (c. 4th–3rd century BCE)
Chanakya, the strategist behind the rise of the Mauryan empire, prized a keen reading of human character. In this vivid verse he draws on the natural world — scorpion, fly and serpent — to make the point that whereas dangerous creatures bear poison in a single organ, the truly wicked person is dangerous in every limb, and so warrants the greatest caution.
✦ As told in scripture
Niti teachers say this verse has spared many from ruin, for one who remembers it keeps watch over the whole conduct of a suspect person rather than trusting a single pleasing trait, and so is not taken unawares by a poison that runs through the entire being.
The Mantra
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वृश्चिकस्य विषं पुच्छं मक्षिकायाश्च मस्तके। तक्षकस्य विषं दन्ते सर्वाङ्गे दुर्जनस्य च॥
vṛścikasya viṣaṁ pucchaṁ makṣikāyāś ca mastake। takṣakasya viṣaṁ dante sarvāṅge durjanasya ca॥
Meaning:The scorpion's poison lies in its tail, the fly's in its head, and the serpent's in its fang — but the wicked person carries poison in every part of his being. Chanakya warns that while a venomous creature can harm only through one organ, an evil-minded person is dangerous through and through.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting Vrishchikasya Visham Puchchhe (The Wicked Are Poison All Over)
Sharpens discernment of character and judgement of company
Warns clearly against the all-pervading danger of wicked people
Encourages caution and vigilance in choosing associates
Uses a vivid natural metaphor that is easy to remember and apply
Protects against being deceived by partially harmful appearances
A concise, memorable maxim for prudent dealings with people
How to Chant Vrishchikasya Visham Puchchhe (The Wicked Are Poison All Over)
Recite the verse slowly and picture each creature in turn — the scorpion's tail, the fly's head, the serpent's fang — and then the wicked person whose whole being is poison. Reflect on the lesson of vigilance and discernment in choosing one's company. It is traditionally studied among Chanakya's teachings on judging people.