Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 16
Vṛtrāsura Rebukes Indra; Heroic Combat and the Asura’s Pure Devotional Prayers
श्रीह्रीदयाकीर्तिभिरुज्झितं त्वां स्वकर्मणा पुरुषादैश्च गर्ह्यम् । कृच्छ्रेण मच्छूलविभिन्नदेह- मस्पृष्टवह्निं समदन्ति गृध्रा: ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-hrī-dayā-kīrtibhir ujjhitaṁ tvāṁ sva-karmaṇā puruṣādaiś ca garhyam kṛcchreṇa mac-chūla-vibhinna-deham aspṛṣṭa-vahniṁ samadanti gṛdhrāḥ
Indra, you are bereft of all shame, mercy, glory and good fortune. Deprived of these good qualities by the reactions of your fruitive activities, you are to be condemned even by the man-eaters [Rākṣasas]. Now I shall pierce your body with my trident, and after you die with great pain, even fire will not touch you; only the vultures will eat your body.
FAQs
This verse states that one condemned by one’s own actions may lose honor, compassion, and reputation, and may even be denied proper funeral rites—symbolizing severe karmic degradation.
In the battlefield exchange, Vṛtrāsura rebukes Indra to expose his moral fall and to warn him of the consequences of ignoble action, even while the conflict proceeds by destiny.
Guard your character—compassion, modesty, and integrity—because actions shape reputation and inner dignity; avoid choices that bring lasting shame even if they offer short-term gain.