Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 38
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
राम राम महाबाहो भवान् पापमकारषीत् । अवधीन्नरदेवं यत्सर्वदेवमयं वृथा ॥ ३८ ॥
rāma rāma mahābāho bhavān pāpam akāraṣīt avadhīn naradevaṁ yat sarva-devamayaṁ vṛthā
O Rāma mit mächtigen Armen! Du hast unnötig Sünde auf dich geladen: Du hast den König getötet, der als Verkörperung aller Halbgötter gilt.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a righteous king represents the functions of the devas in society—protection, order, justice, and welfare—so harming him without dharmic cause is treated as a grave offense.
Because the killing is described as vṛthā—done without proper cause—making it pāpa (sinful). Even powerful acts must be governed by dharma, not anger or impulse.
It cautions against unjustified harm and teaches respect for rightful authority and social responsibility—act with discernment, not rage, and avoid “necessary” violence that is actually needless.