Shloka 19
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
यस्त्विह वै स्तेयेन बलाद्वा हिरण्यरत्नादीनि ब्राह्मणस्य वापहरत्यन्यस्य वानापदि पुरुषस्तममुत्र राजन् यमपुरुषा अयस्मयैरग्निपिण्डै: सन्दंशैस्त्वचि निष्कुषन्ति ॥ १९ ॥
yas tv iha vai steyena balād vā hiraṇya-ratnādīni brāhmaṇasya vāpaharaty anyasya vānāpadi puruṣas tam amutra rājan yama-puruṣā ayasmayair agni-piṇḍaiḥ sandaṁśais tvaci niṣkuṣanti.
My dear King, a person who robs a brāhmaṇa or anyone else of gold is put into Sandaṁśa hell, where his skin is torn by red-hot iron tongs.
FAQs
This verse says that one who steals valuables—by stealth or by force—especially from a brāhmaṇa (and even from others without necessity) is punished after death by Yama’s messengers, who torment him by tearing at his skin with red-hot iron tongs.
In Canto 5, Chapter 26, Śukadeva explains the consequences of adharma so Parīkṣit understands the gravity of sinful actions and becomes firmly situated in devotion and detachment while preparing for death.
It urges strict honesty and respect for others’ property—especially toward saintly and religious persons—and reminds us that unethical gain brings severe karmic reactions, so one should live by dharma and cultivate devotion.