Vrishchikasya Visham Puchchhe (The Wicked Are Poison All Over) — Word-by-Word Meaning
वृश्चिकस्य विषं पुच्छं
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
वृश्चिकस्य
vṛścikasya
of the scorpion
विषम्
viṣam
poison, venom
पुच्छम् (पुच्छे)
pucchaṁ (pucche)
in the tail
मक्षिकायाः
makṣikāyāḥ
of the fly (a stinging fly / gnat)
च
ca
and
मस्तके
mastake
in the head
तक्षकस्य
takṣakasya
of the serpent (Takshaka, the great snake)
दन्ते
dante
in the tooth / fang
सर्वाङ्गे
sarvāṅge
in every limb, all over the body
दुर्जनस्य
durjanasya
of the wicked person, of the evil-doer
Complete Translation
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.
Origin & History
Source: Chanakya Niti
Author: Chanakya (Vishnugupta / Kautilya)
Period: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does 'Vrishchikasya Visham Puchchhe' come from?▼
It is a famous verse from the Chanakya Niti (Niti Darpana), the collection of aphorisms attributed to Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta), the ancient Indian master of ethics and statecraft.
What is the central teaching of this verse?▼
That venomous creatures carry poison in only one organ — the scorpion in its tail, the fly in its head, the snake in its fang — whereas a wicked person is harmful in every part. It is a warning that an evil character is more pervasively dangerous than any single-sting creature.
How should one apply this teaching?▼
By exercising discernment and caution with people of bad character. Just as one keeps a safe distance from venomous creatures, Chanakya advises careful vigilance with the wicked, since their harm is not confined to one trait or moment but runs through their whole nature.
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