Shloka 85

Adhyaya 14 — The Messenger of Yama Explains Karmic Retribution and the Causes of Naraka Torments

Sanskrit

वृकैर्भयङ्करैः पृष्ठं नित्यमस्योपभुज्यते ।

पृष्ठमांसं नृपैतॆन यतो लोकस्य भक्षितम् ॥

Transliteration

vṛkair bhayaṅkaraiḥ pṛṣṭhaṃ nityam asyopabhujyate | pṛṣṭha-māṃsaṃ nṛpaitena yato lokasya bhakṣitam ||

Translation

Sein Rücken wird unablässig von furchterregenden Wölfen gefressen—weil dieser König das Fleisch der Menschen aß, nämlich ihr „Rückenfleisch“ (das er hätte schützen sollen).

Speakers

• Dialogue frame not explicit in the provided excerpt; didactic naraka catalogue.

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Rājadharma (kingly duty)
• Abuse/exploitation
• Karma and retribution