𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌪𑌃 𑌕𑍍𑌰𑍂𑌰𑌃 𑌖𑌲𑌃 𑌕𑍍𑌰𑍂𑌰𑌃
सर्पः क्रूरः खलः क्रूरः in Grantha · 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥
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Origin & Story
Sanskrit Subhashita (niti tradition; cited in Chanakya Niti literature) · Anonymous (traditional niti subhashita) · Classical Sanskrit literature
Among the niti-shlokas that taught practical wisdom for safe and prudent living, this verse stands out for its sharp comparison between a venomous snake and a wicked man. By noting that the snake is the lesser danger because it can be charmed, it drives home the timeless caution to beware of those whose malice no remedy can cure, and it has long been quoted in the Chanakya tradition.
✦ As told in scripture
Wise counsellors have long invoked this verse to warn kings and ordinary folk alike; many were spared ruin, it is said, by heeding its lesson and keeping the malicious at a safe distance, having learned that no antidote exists for a wicked heart.
The Mantra
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𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌪𑌃 𑌕𑍍𑌰𑍂𑌰𑌃 𑌖𑌲𑌃 𑌕𑍍𑌰𑍂𑌰𑌃 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌪𑌾𑌤𑍍𑌕𑍍𑌰𑍂𑌰𑌤𑌰𑌃 𑌖𑌲𑌃। 𑌮𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑍗𑌷𑌧𑌿𑌵𑌶𑌃 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌪𑌃 𑌖𑌲𑌃 𑌕𑍇𑌨 𑌨𑌿𑌵𑌾𑌰𑍍𑌯𑌤𑍇॥
sarpaḥ krūraḥ khalaḥ krūraḥ sarpāt krūrataraḥ khalaḥ। mantrauṣadhi-vaśaḥ sarpaḥ khalaḥ kena nivāryate॥
Meaning:सर्प क्रूर है और खल (दुष्ट) भी क्रूर है — परन्तु दुष्ट सर्प से भी अधिक क्रूर है; क्योंकि सर्प तो मन्त्र और औषधि से वश में किया जा सकता है, पर दुष्ट को किस उपाय से रोका जाए? यह श्लोक चेतावनी देता है कि दुष्ट हृदय वाला मनुष्य विषधर सर्प से भी अधिक भयंकर है, क्योंकि उसकी दुष्टता को रोकने का कोई मन्त्र या औषधि नहीं है।
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting सर्पः क्रूरः खलः क्रूरः
Teaches discernment and caution in dealing with malicious people
Warns that an evil nature is harder to guard against than physical danger
Encourages keeping a wise distance from the wicked
A vivid, memorable verse for reflection on character and safety
Reinforces the niti principle of protecting oneself from harmful company
Often quoted to counsel prudence and self-protection
How to Chant सर्पः क्रूरः खलः क्रूरः
Recite the verse thoughtfully, weighing its comparison between the snake and the scoundrel. Let it sharpen your discernment and remind you to be cautious and keep a wise distance from those of malicious nature. It is often shared as practical counsel on protecting oneself from harmful people.
Frequently Asked Questions
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